'It's just an accident,' Sharad Pawar's big statement on Ajit Pawar's death | Video

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday described the death of his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a Baramati plane crash as “just an accident,” saying there was no political angle to the incident.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday described the death of his nephew, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a Baramati plane crash as “just an accident,” asserting that there was no political angle to the incident.

Calling the tragedy a massive shock for Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar said the state had lost a capable and decisive leader. He added that the pain of the loss was being felt across Maharashtra and urged political parties and the media not to politicise the incident.

In video shared on X, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "Ajit Pawar’s accidental death is a massive shock for Maharashtra. Today, the state has lost a capable leader with the ability to take strong decisions. The loss we have suffered is irreparable, but not everything is in our control. I did not intend to address the media today, but I came to know that some sections of the media have reported statements from Kolkata suggesting that there is politics behind this accident. I want to make it clear that there is no politics involved, this is purely an accident. The pain of this loss is being felt by Maharashtra and by all of us. I request that this tragedy not be politicised."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleges conspiracy in Ajit Pawar plane crash

Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned whether the crash could be dismissed as a mere accident and called for a high-level investigation. Citing reports that Ajit Pawar may have been considering a political shift, she said the circumstances surrounding the incident warranted a thorough probe.

Ajit Pawar Baramati plane crash

Ajit Pawar, 66, was killed on Wednesday morning when the chartered aircraft carrying him crash-landed near the runway threshold while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. All five people on board, including Pawar, his personal security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots, died in the crash.

Pawar was travelling to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections at the time of the accident. A senior political leader, he was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the post for six non-consecutive terms across different governments. He served in the cabinets led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde.

He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and sons Jay and Parth Pawar.

Pawar's last rites

Following his death, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday and three days of mourning. Ajit Pawar’s last rites will be performed with full state honours on Thursday at 11 am.