West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stirred a political storm by alleging a deep-rooted conspiracy behind the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who perished in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. The Trinamool Congress supremo has called for a thorough investigation supervised directly by the Supreme Court, expressing complete distrust in all other investigative agencies which she claims have been "compromised."
Political Timing Raises Suspicion
Banerjee pointed to what she described as suspicious timing, revealing that just two days before the fatal crash, there were reports circulating about Pawar's potential departure from the Bharatiya Janata Party. "I don't know what is the fate of opposition political parties, but he was very much with the ruling party," she stated. "But two days ago, I came to know that someone from another party had given a statement that Pawar was willing to leave the BJP, and now this has happened today."
Complete Loss of Faith in Agencies
The veteran politician made her position unequivocally clear regarding the investigation. "I demand a proper investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court," Banerjee asserted. "We have trust only in the Supreme Court and no other agency. All agencies have been completely compromised." This strong statement reflects the growing political tensions and mistrust between opposition parties and central investigative bodies.
Alleged Plans to Rejoin NCP Faction
Further intensifying her allegations, Banerjee claimed that Pawar was reportedly preparing to rejoin the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by his uncle, veteran politician Sharad Pawar. Citing recent media reports suggesting such a possibility, she implied this political realignment might have triggered the tragic events. Despite the serious allegations, Banerjee expressed her condolences, saying, "It is truly a great loss. Today he is in the opposition, but tomorrow he was supposed to return to the original course of his party. My condolences to his family, the people of Maharashtra, and to Sharad Pawar."
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's Sharp Rebuttal
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut swiftly responded to Banerjee's allegations, terming them "petty" and urging restraint during this period of mourning. "We are all in mourning that such a major mishap occurred this morning," Ranaut stated. "All of us are discussing in Parliament that many people travel by helicopter. So, instead of speaking such petty things at such a time, she should show a little restraint." This exchange highlights the immediate political polarization surrounding the tragedy.
The Tragic Incident Details
Ajit Pawar died along with four others when the Learjet 46 aircraft they were traveling in crashed near Baramati in Pune district. The aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, made a crash landing at Baramati airport. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, there were five people on board, including crew members. The aviation regulator has initiated its own investigation into the technical and operational aspects of the crash.
The sudden death of a prominent political figure combined with these serious allegations has created a complex situation that extends beyond the immediate tragedy, touching upon deeper political undercurrents and institutional trust issues within India's democratic framework.
