Maha Deputy CM, four others killed in plane crash
New Delhi, Jan 28: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the death of NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, alleging that “all other agencies” have been “completely compromised”, with several opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge backing her demand.
Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee stressed that the truth would not emerge through existing mechanisms and only a probe under the supervision of the apex court would be credible.
“We trust only the Supreme Court. All other agencies have been completely compromised,” she told reporters.
Banerjee also hinted that Ajit Pawar was planning to return to the Nationalist Congress Party faction NCP (SP) led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, noting that reports circulating in recent days had pointed to such a move.
“I was truly shocked to see the news (of Ajit Pawar’s death) this morning. It shows that there is no safety or security in this country, even for political leaders,” the CM said.
“Even those who are a part of the ruling establishment today do not seem to be safe,” she said.
Kharge supported her demand as he condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Asked about Banerjee demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation, Kharge said there should be a probe as this is an accident.
“Everyone, all leaders, keep travelling for urgent work. But in so many instances, we saw in Ahmedabad how a big plane crashed. This was a small plane; why did this happen? It should be probed. We also demand a probe,” Kharge said.
The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said that Ajit Pawar worked for the people, and his untimely demise has caused sorrow to all.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav cited similar incidents in the past and said Banerjee’s demand was justified.
“He (Ajit Pawar) was a big leader, served as a deputy chief minister many times, and a popular leader of Maharashtra. She (Banerjee) must have made a justified demand… Earlier as well, many VIPs lost their lives in a similar manner, so there should be an impartial probe so it can be known what the reason for the accident was,” Yadav said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai described Pawar’s demise as a great loss for Maharashtra and called for a thorough probe.
Asked about Banerjee’s remarks, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said it is unfortunate and unfair that “dirty politics” is being played when Pawar’s family and others connected to him are grieving.
“To mislead in this manner, when today the family has suffered such a huge loss, is unfair… If you had to say something like this, you could have done it a few days later. If your desire to indulge in such dirty politics was not satisfied, you could at least have allowed the family a few days to perform the last rites and rituals. She is a senior leader. I don’t want to say anything but choosing to do this today itself is a very petty act,” the minister of state said.
Don’t bring politics: Sharad Pawar
In an apparent snub to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said the plane crash involving his nephew Ajit Pawar and four others was an accident which shouldn’t be politicised.
Addressing reporters, he said Ajit’s death was a big shock for Maharashtra, which has lost a hardworking and efficient leader, and this loss is irreparable.
“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 added.
Mamata doing petty politics: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash, saying she was indulging in “petty politics” when one should stand by the bereaved family of the NCP leader.
“She has lost humanity,” Biplab Deb, the BJP co-incharge for elections in West Bengal said.
Reacting to Banerjee’s remarks, Deb, a former chief minister of Tripura, said, “This is not the time to do politics, but to stand by the bereaved family members of Pawar.”
Lashing out at the TMC supremo, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said, “Instead of making insensitive remarks on the unfortunate demise of Pawar, Banerjee must focus on ensuring justice and timely relief for the fire victims’ families in West Bengal.”
The fire, which broke out in two adjacent godowns in Kolkata’s Nazirabad area in the early hours of January 26 and raged for over 24 hours, has claimed at least eight lives. (PTI)
