Mamata Condoles Ajit Pawar Death, Urges Probe Into Baramati Plane Crash
Mamata Banerjee, deeply shocked by Ajit Pawar's death, extends condolences and demands a proper investigation into the crash.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock over the sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning along with four others. Banerjee has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.
In an online statement, she said, “Deeply shocked and stunned by the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati this morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family, including Sharad Pawar ji, and all of the late Ajit ji’s friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation.”
The aircraft, a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation, crashed around 8:48 AM while attempting to land at Baramati airport, roughly an hour after taking off from Mumbai. Onboard were Ajit Pawar, two personnel, and two crew members, including a pilot and his personal security officer. All five perished. Visuals from the crash site showed fire, smoke, and mangled remains.
Also Read: Ajit Pawar’s Final X Post: Salutations to Lala Lajpat Rai on Birth Anniversary
Pawar, aged 66, was Maharashtra’s longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister, serving non-consecutively under chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. A senior NCP leader, he also served as a seven-time MLA from Baramati and briefly as a Lok Sabha MP before vacating the seat for his uncle, party founder Sharad Pawar.
Investigators from the DGCA have begun a detailed inquiry, examining black box and cockpit voice recorder data, pre-flight maintenance records, runway conditions, weather, and air traffic communications to determine the cause. Preliminary reports indicate that dense fog and hilly terrain in the Baramati region may have contributed to the crash.
Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise has drawn condolences from political leaders across the country, but Mamata Banerjee’s call for an investigation highlights concerns over aviation safety for public officials, especially in small aircraft and helicopters frequently used in regional political travel.
Also Read: Heartfelt Tribute: PM Modi Remembers Ajit Pawar's Service to the Poor
