Shiv Sena (UBT) Intensifies Calls for Transparent Probe Into Ajit Pawar's Fatal Aircraft Crash
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and party leader Sushma Andhare have escalated their criticism of the ruling establishment, demanding a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and six others. The leaders emphasized that public tributes cannot substitute for genuine accountability in this tragic incident.
Questioning DGCA's Investigation Track Record
Raut specifically targeted the functioning of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), stating that aircraft crash investigations in India rarely reach any logical conclusion. He highlighted a pattern where numerous inquiries are announced following air accidents, but concrete outcomes remain elusive.
"Many inquiries have been announced after air accidents, but nothing concrete comes out of them. Reports are not made public," Raut asserted. "The DGCA must tell people exactly what went wrong with Ajit Pawar's aircraft so that such incidents do not happen again."
Criticism of BJP's Tribute Advertisements
Taking aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for publishing full-page newspaper advertisements and erecting banners honoring Pawar, Raut argued that symbolism cannot replace truth. In a social media post on X, he contended that advertisements do not constitute genuine tribute.
"Giving advertisements is not the real tribute. The real tribute to Ajit Pawar would be for the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister to withdraw the allegations of a Rs 70,000-crore scam that were made against him," Raut stated, linking the demand for probe transparency to broader political allegations.
Doubts About Official Crash Explanations
Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare raised questions about the circulating explanation that poor visibility at Baramati airport caused the crash. She pointed to apparent inconsistencies in this narrative, referencing CCTV footage that shows the aircraft circling clearly from a distance.
"Many people are saying the accident happened due to low visibility. But CCTV footage from a considerable distance clearly shows the aircraft circling. If there was dense fog, how is the aircraft so clearly visible in the footage?" Andhare questioned, suggesting the need for deeper investigation beyond initial assumptions.
Andhare acknowledged the sensitivity of speaking immediately after such tragedies but emphasized that significant questions raised by figures like Mamata Banerjee cannot be ignored. The party's demands reflect growing concerns about aviation safety protocols and political accountability in the aftermath of high-profile accidents.
