The political atmosphere in the state has heated up after the accidental death of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on January 28. While traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, his plane met with a severe accident and exploded. Five people, including Ajit Pawar, died in this incident. Immediately responding to this event, senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar clarified that it was an accident and there was no sabotage behind it.
However, a few days after the accident, various doubts have started to arise regarding this death. Ajit Pawar's family, close friends, colleagues, as well as some political leaders have expressed suspicion in this matter. Bajrang Sonawane, a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar group), directly questioned whether a bomb was placed in Ajit Pawar's plane. This gave a new turn to the case.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned not to politicize this death. Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut has reacted strongly to his stance. Speaking to the media, Raut said, “If Ajit Pawar's family, friends, and colleagues have any doubts, it is natural for there to be a discussion. Then why does it pain the Chief Minister and BJP leadership?”
Raut further clearly questioned, “What is the reason for issuing threats when doubts are expressed? Do you have any connection with this case?” He alleged that instead of resolving doubts, the government is speaking in the language of pressure. Raut noted that close associates of Ajit Pawar, MLA Amol Mitkari, former minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and family member Rohit Pawar have also expressed doubts.
Sanjay Raut also indirectly criticized the role of the central government. He said, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Parliament and the opposition protests, suspicions are raised that there was a conspiracy to murder them by the government. Doesn't that become politics? Then when one of our leaders dies, how does it become politics when we ask questions?”
The death of Ajit Pawar has plunged Maharashtra into a sea of grief, and the general public has not come to terms with this accident, Raut also said. It is natural for various angles to emerge and questions to arise after such major incidents, he clarified. Therefore, the demand for a transparent and impartial investigation into this matter is once again gaining momentum. Until the doubts surrounding Ajit Pawar's death are resolved, this issue is likely to remain central in the state's politics.