Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday dismissed speculation of foul play in the death of his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, saying the tragic plane crash was “purely an accident.” Speaking emotionally to reporters, the veteran leader urged restraint and cautioned against drawing unfounded conclusions.

Sharad Pawar said there was “no conspiracy in this,” stressing that preliminary information indicated an unfortunate aviation mishap. His remarks came hours after the aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar crash-landed and burst into flames near the runway while approaching Baramati, sending shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political landscape.

According to officials, the aircraft—a Bombardier Learjet 45 operated by private firm VSR Aviation—was en route from Mumbai to Baramati when the incident occurred. Television footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the wreckage in an open field close to the airstrip, underscoring the severity of the crash.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said Ajit Pawar was not alone on board at the time of the accident. His personal security officer, an assistant, and two crew members were also travelling in the aircraft. All five occupants died in the crash, the DGCA confirmed, adding that further details would emerge after a thorough investigation.

Sharad Pawar, visibly shaken, said the family and the party were focused on mourning the loss and supporting those affected. He appealed to the public and media to allow investigative agencies to do their work without speculation, reiterating that early assessments pointed to an accident rather than any deliberate act.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures, with decades of experience in state governance. His sudden death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from leaders across party lines, as authorities begin formal probes to determine the exact cause of the crash.

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