Rohit Pawar to Rally INDIA Bloc Support for Parliamentary Probe into Ajit Pawar's Fatal Plane Crash
In a significant political move, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar announced on Friday that he will travel to Delhi on Saturday to meet with key opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and other members of the INDIA bloc. His primary objective is to urge them to raise the issue of the Baramati plane crash in the ongoing Parliament session through their respective MPs. The crash, which occurred on January 28, tragically claimed the lives of his uncle and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, along with four others.
Seeking Opposition Unity for National-Level Action
Rohit Pawar emphasized that as part of the opposition, he aims to elevate the issue to a national platform. He has also sought appointments with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to discuss the matter further. Speaking to reporters in Pune, he stated, "We are in the opposition, and I shall visit Delhi to meet the INDIA bloc members to raise the issue of Ajit Pawar's death in the plane crash at the national-level. I will meet several key members from the opposition and request them to discuss the issue in Parliament to ensure an impartial probe into the plane crash."
Frustration with Delayed Investigation and CID Proceedings
Earlier on Friday, Rohit Pawar traveled from Mumbai to Pune and visited the CID headquarters for the second time within ten days to meet officers investigating the crash. He expressed frustration over the slow progress, noting that CID officials had previously assured an FIR would be filed once the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) submitted its report. However, they now indicate the FIR will only be filed after the AAIB's final report is ready. The AAIB has only provided a preliminary report so far.
Highlighting delays in similar cases, Rohit pointed out that another VSR aircraft crash in 2023 still lacks a final AAIB report after three years. He questioned, "If the final report of a crash in 2023 has not come after three years, how can we expect speedy submission of the report related to Ajit Pawar's plane crash? Therefore, we are trying to get the support of the opposition to mount pressure on the agencies for an impartial investigation."
Allegations of VIP Treatment and Political Pressure
Rohit Pawar's visit to the CID headquarters came a day after VSR Ventures owner VK Singh was questioned by investigators at the same office. The MLA alleged that instead of rigorous interrogation, Singh received "VIP" treatment, suggesting that CID officials are under pressure from influential figures protecting him. "The CID officials are under pressure from the same people protecting him," he claimed, hinting at possible political interference in the probe.
Meetings with Government Figures and Calls for Administrative Support
Before arriving in Pune, Rohit Pawar met with deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, the widow of Ajit Pawar, and other deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai to discuss the crash. He clarified that the meeting with Sunetra Pawar was solely to provide updates on the investigation. Regarding Shinde, he noted, "He said his party was also in our support. While we as opposition members are fighting on streets to take up the issue of the plane crash, we expect the parties in the government to ensure that the administration probes the case impartially."
This series of actions underscores Rohit Pawar's determined efforts to leverage opposition alliances and public pressure to expedite a thorough and unbiased investigation into the tragic incident that has gripped Maharashtra's political landscape.
