28 January,2026 09:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar was among those killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra`s Pune. File Pic/X
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday described the plane crash that killed his nephew, Ajit Pawar, as a tragic accident and urged that it should not be politicised, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters, Sharad Pawar said Ajit Pawar's death was a major shock for Maharashtra and described him as a hardworking and efficient leader whose loss was "irreparable". He added, "Not all things are in our hands," the news agency reported.
Sharad Pawar appeared to respond indirectly to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the crash. He said there was no politics involved and urged people not to make political claims about the incident.
"A stand was floated from Kolkata that there is some politics involved in this incident. But there is nothing like this. There is no politics in it. It was an accident. I request not to bring politics into it," he said.
Mamata Banerjee has argued that existing agencies are compromised and only a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the aircraft crash would be credible.
She claimed the truth would not emerge through current mechanisms.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, supported Banerjee's demand for an independent investigation.
Several opposition leaders, including Kharge, stated that Banerjee's demand for a court-monitored probe was valid.
Kharge said the crash should be investigated as it was a serious incident. He questioned why a small plane crashed when larger aircraft have had similar accidents in the past. He also offered condolences and said Ajit Pawar's death was a great loss, according to the PTI.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said Banerjee's demand was justified and called for an impartial inquiry, citing previous similar incidents involving VIPs, reported the PTI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai also urged a thorough investigation, noting the rising number of private and chartered flights and the recurring technical issues reported after accidents, the news agency reported.
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu criticised Banerjee's remarks, calling them "dirty politics" and unfair during a time of mourning. He said such comments should have waited until after the last rites and accused her of acting for political gain, according to the PTI.
BJD Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra said the Pune incident should be fully investigated.
(with PTI inputs)
