Amidst the condolences that followed the sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a strong remark and questioned the overall safety of leaders in the country.
“I am really shocked to see the news. There is no safety and security for the people of this country, not even the political leaders,” she said.
“I do not know what is the fate of the opposition political parties, but he was very much with the ruling party,” CM said.
She further claimed that she had recently seen speculation on social media associated with Ajit Pawar’s political future.
“Just a few days ago, I came to know from social networks that somebody from another party had given a statement that Ajit Pawar was willing to leave the BJP,” Banerjee said.
Furthermore, she called for an independent and transparent investigation and said that the Supreme Court could be trusted for the same.
“We have trust only in the Supreme Court, no other agency,” Banerjee said.
“Now, what happened today? I need a proper investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Only we have trust in the Supreme Court; no other agency,” she said.
“All the agencies are being totally purchased. And really, it is a great loss for the country,” Banerjee stated.
“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. 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,” Banerjee said.
I demand a proper investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court. We have trust only in the Supreme Court and no other agency. All agencies have been completely compromised. 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” Banerjee said.
Several other leaders have also called for the probe; Lalu Prasad Yadav, requesting a high-level probe, said on X that he was “extremely heartbroken.”
Gaurav Gogoi called for a “proper and transparent investigation” into the incident and said he was “deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Ajit Pawar ji.”
A plane carrying NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Minister Ajit Pawar crashed on Wednesday morning at the time of landing at Baramati airport in Maharashtra. Pawar, along with four others, lost their lives in the fatal crash.
The pilots and Pawar’s security personnel also died in the crash. The visuals from the crash show flames and smoke coming out of the plane.
Reports reveal that the plane made an unsuccessful first landing attempt at 8:30 in the morning, likely due to poor visibility. Then the second attempt was made at 8:42 am, and then ultimately it crashed near the threshold of the runway at 11.
Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati ahead of his schedule to attempt four public meetings when the Learjet 45, which was chartered from Mumbai, crashed. The death of Pawar was confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after the plane crash. The Learjet 45 business jet was operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. and registered as VT-SSK.
