Political Controversy Surrounds Fatal Baramati Plane Crash
In the aftermath of the tragic January 28 plane crash near the Baramati airstrip that claimed the life of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others, a political storm has erupted with multiple Nationalist Congress Party members and opposition leaders expressing serious doubts about the official narrative.
Questioning the Official Explanation
While the Ministry of Civil Aviation has cited poor visibility as the prima facie reason behind the fatal accident, several political figures have raised troubling questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash. NCP MLC Amol Mitkari took to social media platform X to voice his concerns, pointing to specific anomalies discovered at the crash site.
"There was a fire after the plane crash, but why did the papers found at the site remain unburned?" Mitkari questioned during interactions with reporters. "There are other significant doubts that need addressing. Initial reports mentioned six people aboard the aircraft, yet only five bodies were recovered. Furthermore, the Learjet-45 aircraft involved had a documented history of accidents. Who specifically selected this particular aircraft for Ajit Pawar's travel?"
Opposition Demands Transparency
Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar echoed these concerns, stating there appeared to be something suspicious about the entire incident and demanding that the government release comprehensive details. The opposition has collectively called for an independent investigation into the crash, with many suspecting potential foul play.
Cabinet minister and senior NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal raised technical questions during a condolence meeting in Yeola on Monday. "The CCTV footage clearly shows the plane crashing suddenly," Bhujbal noted. "While an official inquiry is underway and I'm not an aviation expert, discussions with knowledgeable individuals suggest there may have been issues with either the plane's engine or radar systems."
Parliamentary Accusations and Political Tensions
The controversy reached Parliament on Monday when Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut raised the issue, connecting the tragedy to previous political statements. "During municipal corporation elections, Ajit Pawar claimed to possess evidence files documenting BJP members' involvement in corruption," Raut stated. "Just days after this declaration, his plane crashed. While I'm not making direct accusations, this sequence of events demands a thorough investigation by an independent authority."
Government Response and Investigation Status
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol strongly criticized opposition members for what he described as politicizing the tragedy. "It is deeply unfortunate that individuals like Raut would stoop to such levels and engage in dirty politics over a plane crash tragedy," Mohol told reporters in New Delhi.
The minister reiterated the official position while providing updates on the investigation. "Prima facie evidence suggests visibility issues as the likely cause. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau are conducting comprehensive investigations. They have successfully recovered the aircraft's black box, and a detailed report will be submitted to the ministry shortly."
The political controversy surrounding the Baramati plane crash continues to intensify as conflicting narratives emerge, with opposition forces demanding transparency and independent scrutiny while government officials maintain their preliminary findings and criticize what they view as inappropriate politicization of a national tragedy.
