West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded unbiased investigation monitored by the Supreme Court of India into the death of Ajit Pawar. The veteran Trinamool Congress leader has not ruled out the possibility of foul play.
The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has cast a pall of grief across the country. He died in a horrific plane crash in Maharashtra’s Baramati on Wednesday, January 28 morning. The news of his death has sent shockwaves through national politics.
Reacting to the news, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident under the supervision of the Supreme Court. There have been speculations that Ajit Pawar might leave the Mahayuti alliance. Referring to this, the Chief Minister said that the possibility of a conspiracy behind the accident should also be investigated.
Mamata Banerjee addressed the media on Wednesday while leaving for Singur. Talking about Ajit Pawar’s death, the CM said, “I am stunned and deeply saddened by this news. If such an incident happens to a top political leader, it raises serious questions about the security of public representatives in the country.”
She further said, “I learned from a source on social media that an opposition leader had said that Ajit Pawar wanted to leave his alliance with the BJP. In this situation, this accident is very suspicious!”
Mamata Banerjee demanded a proper investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court. She also made it clear that she does not trust any other investigating agency in this case.
The chief minister said, “We have trust only in the Supreme Court, no other agency. I don’t want an investigation by any other agency. All the agencies have been bought off with money.” In this situation, Mamata Banerjee has faith only in the Supreme Court for the investigation of the incident.
Political leaders demand probe into Ajit Pawar’s death
Several political leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into the Baramati plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with five others. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar were among those demanding accountability while expressing their condolences.
Ajit Pawar hinted about merger between NCP factions?
Notably, about three years ago, Ajit Pawar separated from Sharad Pawar and formed his own party. After winning a legal battle, he also gained control of the NCP’s clock symbol. However, in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar defeated his nephew. But in the Assembly Elections, Ajit Pawar’s camp won 41 seats, while Sharad’s party got 10 seats. Since then, speculation began that the two NCP factions might go for a merger.
A few months ago, when Ajit Pawar was asked about this possibility of merger at a press conference, he had indirectly said, “May your words come true.”
Ajit’s comment further fuelled speculation about the merger of the two NCP factions. Moreover, it is also heard that Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar have been holding discussions among themselves regarding the merger of the two factions. Speculation has also emerged that they are distancing themselves from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning near Baramati. The veteran leader was travelling from Mumbai to his home turf of Baramati when the small aircraft went down during a landing attempt.
Along with the 66-year-old leader, four others, comprising two pilots and two members of his security detail, lost their lives in the accident. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the state, occurring at a time when Pawar was actively campaigning for upcoming local body elections.
Ajit Pawar’s relevance in Maharashtra’s politics
Ajit Pawar was a central figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape for nearly four decades. Known as “Dada” (older brother) to his supporters, he was a key administrative force and a pivotal player in the state’s coalition dynamics. He was known for his mastery of the state’s finances and had presented the Maharashtra budget multiple times.
He served a record six terms as Deputy Chief Minister under various coalitions (including cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde). He held critical portfolios like Finance, Planning, Irrigation, and Water Resources, giving him deep control over state development and the bureaucracy.