The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The demand comes after Pawar’s tragic demise in a plane crash in Baramati last month.

A delegation consisting of senior party officials, including his wife Sunetra Pawar, NCP National Working President and Member of Parliament Praful Patel, State President and MP Sunil Tatkare, Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, and youth leader Parth Pawar, approached Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with a memorandum requesting a CBI-led investigation.

Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crash Incident

Ajit Pawar, along with four others, lost their lives on January 28 when their aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati airport in Pune district. The tragic incident has sparked significant political controversy, with the NCP, alongside the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Indian National Congress, raising concerns and suggesting potential “foul play” surrounding the crash.

Growing Concerns Among Political Leaders

Earlier in the day, NCP MP Supriya Sule expressed rising unease regarding the circumstances of Pawar’s death, urging the civil aviation ministry to provide clarifications on the incident. Sule emphasized the familial connection between Ajit and Rohit Pawar, stating that many, including Rohit and Amol Mitkari, have voiced concerns. She also noted that Alliance partners Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are unified in demanding parliamentary discourse on the matter and have approached the Speaker to seek a discussion.

Criticism Over Investigation Delays

Rohit Pawar, an NCP (SP) MLA, criticized the slow pace of the investigation, indicating that nearly 20 days had passed since the accident without noticeable progress. He raised questions about whether the delays were allowing the involved company, VSR, to potentially destroy crucial evidence and if the company was receiving undue protection.

Highlighting concerns from the public, he remarked that recent information regarding damage to the black box raised suspicions, suggesting it could reinforce fears of foul play. He vowed that the NCP would persist in seeking clarity, whether the incident was classified as an accident or something more sinister.

Political Reactions and Next Steps

The calls for an investigation have led to increased political activity around the incident. The NCP is not only seeking justice for Pawar but also pushing for accountability in light of the troubling circumstances that led to the crash. The political alliances forged through shared concerns over the incident indicate a collective demand for transparency surrounding the tragedy. As discussions continue among party leaders and in the legislature, the incident remains a focal point for both political discourse and public inquiry.

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