Rohit Pawar Raises Conspiracy Allegations Over Ajit Pawar's Fatal Plane Crash
In a dramatic development, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar has publicly suggested that the tragic death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash last month could be part of a larger conspiracy. The remarks were made during a detailed presentation in Mumbai on Tuesday, where Pawar emphasized that numerous unanswered questions surrounding the incident warrant thorough investigation.
Unanswered Questions and Suspicious Circumstances
Rohit Pawar specifically highlighted perplexing circumstances leading up to the fatal accident. "Ajit Dada's plane crash could be a part of a conspiracy," he stated unequivocally during his presentation. "We have investigated certain aspects of this tragedy, and several troubling questions remain."
The NCP (SP) leader revealed a crucial detail about Ajit Pawar's travel plans that had been abruptly changed. "The day before the accident, Dada was supposed to travel from Mumbai to Pune by car, and the convoy had actually started," Pawar explained. "But why did he not leave by car? This sudden change of plans raises serious doubts."
Rohit Pawar further noted that Ajit Pawar had been scheduled to meet a senior political leader, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. He referenced a book suggesting that targeting a driver represents the easiest method to eliminate someone, drawing parallels to the aviation tragedy.
Political Context and Previous Allegations
The conspiracy theory surrounding Ajit Pawar's death is not entirely new in political circles. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had previously alleged potential political conspiracy connections, demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation. Her claims were based on reports suggesting Ajit Pawar was considering rejoining the NCP (SP) faction led by his uncle, veteran politician Sharad Pawar.
The fatal crash occurred on January 28 when a chartered Learjet aircraft crashed while attempting to land at the challenging table-top airstrip in Baramati, Pune district. The tragedy claimed five lives total, including:
- Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra deputy chief minister
- His personal security officer
- The aircraft pilot
- The co-pilot
- A flight attendant
The incident had immediate political ramifications, with the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Maharashtra being postponed following the crash.
Official Investigation and Technical Analysis
Meanwhile, the Union government has confirmed that a comprehensive technical investigation is currently underway. Minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided updates on the official probe, stating that both the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are examining all aspects of the crash.
"The black box has been recovered and is being analyzed," Mohol announced. "The data will be downloaded, followed by a detailed inquiry. A preliminary report will be released after that process is complete."
The minister urged caution against drawing premature conclusions while investigations proceed under the AAIB Rules, 2025. Authorities have indicated the investigation will determine the exact sequence of events, including assessing the role of weather conditions and visibility factors during the aircraft's attempted landing at the difficult airstrip.
Continued Scrutiny and Future Presentations
Rohit Pawar had previously announced his intention to present a detailed briefing addressing doubts surrounding the crash, which he delivered on February 10. Speaking to reporters earlier, he emphasized that public questions persist about how and why the accident occurred, promising his presentation would focus specifically on these unresolved issues.
"These unanswered questions have raised legitimate doubts in the minds of many citizens," Pawar asserted. "They demand thorough examination and transparent answers from authorities."
The conspiracy allegations have added a new dimension to the tragedy that has shaken Maharashtra's political landscape, ensuring continued scrutiny of both the technical investigation and the political circumstances surrounding the deputy chief minister's untimely death.
