KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Court–monitored probe into the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, saying she had no faith in any central or state investigating agency.
“We have trust only in the Supreme Court and no other agency. All agencies have been completely compromised. It is truly a great loss. My condolences to his family, the people of Maharashtra, and to Sharad Pawar,” she added.
The Bengal CM also hinted that Ajit Pawar was planning to return to the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) faction led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, leaving the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti allaince.
“I am deeply shocked to hear the news of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash this morning. Even political leaders are not safe in this country, let alone common people,” she said.
"Even those who are a part of the ruling establishment today do not seem to be safe," she added.
Several opposition leaders backed the TMC supremo's demand and expressed shock regarding the deadly crash.
Calling for an investigation into the incident, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Everyone, all leaders, keep travelling for urgent work. But in so many instances, we saw in Ahmedabad how a big plane crashed. This was a small plane; why did this happen? It should be probed. We also demand a probe."
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited similar incidents in the past and said Banerjee's demand was justified.
"He (Ajit Pawar) was a big leader, served as a deputy chief minister many times, and a popular leader of Maharashtra. She (Banerjee) must have made a justified demand... Earlier as well, many VIPs lost their lives in a similar manner, so there should be an impartial probe so it can be known what the reason for the accident was," Yadav said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai described Pawar's demise as a great loss for Maharashtra and called for a thorough probe.
"There has to be an investigation because these kinds of incidents keep happening. Everybody is wondering why.." Desai said.
"On one hand, demand for chartered planes has increased, private planes are on the rise, but at the same time, incidents of technical glitches, or other reasons come forth after an accident, there has to be a thorough investigation...," he said.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also called for a probe into the crash.
“Truth should come out. He was an influential leader and used to hold big portfolios. A proper investigation should be made to unearth the truth behind the shocking incident. I think an immediate investigation is needed to find out the mystery behind his death,” Chowdhury told the media.
Ajit Pawar and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning. The Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures crash- landed near Baramati in Pune district earlier in the morning.
Pawar was traveling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.
The Learjet 45 (LJ45), a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport and burst into flames.
According to an eyewitness, the ill-fated aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar appeared "a bit unstable in the air" and exploded the moment it crashed on the ground.
Earlier in the morning, Mamata called the incident a “deep personal loss. She extended her condolences to Pawar’s family, including his uncle Sharad Pawar, and to his friends, followers, and supporters.
(With inputs from Online Desk)