Maharashtra’s political atmosphere turned tense on Friday after senior leader Sanjay Raut raised serious doubts about the investigation into the fatal plane crash that killed former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. His remarks have intensified the ongoing war of words between the ruling establishment and the opposition.
Raut Alleges Possible Cover-Up
While speaking to reporters, Raut claimed that either the state government or the Centre was “hiding crucial facts” about the tragic incident. He said the death of such a senior Maharashtra leader could not be treated as a routine accident and demanded that all unanswered questions be addressed publicly.
According to Raut, new concerns raised by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar have added to the suspicions surrounding the crash. He insisted that the people of Maharashtra deserve full transparency and clarity about what exactly happened.
Demand for Civil Aviation Minister’s Resignation
The controversy escalated after Rohit Pawar openly demanded the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. Addressing a protest gathering, he alleged a conflict of interest and claimed that the minister’s political party had financial links with the aviation company associated with the crashed aircraft.
Rohit Pawar stated that such links raise ethical and legal concerns, and therefore the minister should step down until the investigation is completed. He also called for a police case to be registered to examine the alleged financial connections.
Allegations of Influential Names Being Shielded
Further intensifying the issue, Rohit Pawar claimed that powerful individuals were being protected. He alleged that the owner of the aviation company involved in the crash has close ties with influential political figures. According to him, this could explain why the investigation has not yet produced conclusive public findings.
Emotional Tribute and Family Concerns
During his address, Rohit Pawar spoke emotionally about his bond with Ajit Pawar, saying he had guided him like a father in politics. He recalled that the late leader had played a key role in his early political career.
Ajit Pawar’s family has also raised questions. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, while his son Jay has expressed concerns on social media regarding the handling of the aircraft’s black box.
Investigation Under CID Scanner
The January 28 plane crash in Baramati is currently being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department. Officials have said they are examining all possible angles related to the accidental deaths.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is reviewing the technical aspects of the crash. However, opposition leaders argue that technical analysis alone is not enough and that the criminal dimension must also be fully explored.
