Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged a political conspiracy behind the death of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. She demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe, accusing all “other agencies” of being “compromised”.The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said that there were reported talks that Pawar was “willing to leave BJP” only two days ago and then the crash happened.“I don’t know what is the fate of the opposition political parties but he was very much with the ruling party. But two days ago, I came to know that someone from another party had given a statement that Pawar was willing to leave the BJP, and now this has happened today,” she alleged.“I demand a proper investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court. We have trust only in the Supreme Court and no other agency. All agencies have been completely compromised,” she added.She further alleged that Pawar was preparing to rejoin the Nationalist Congress Party faction led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), citing recent reports that have suggested such a possibility.“It is truly a great loss. Today he is in the opposition, but tomorrow he was supposed to return to the original course of his party. My condolences to his family, the people of Maharashtra, and to Sharad Pawar,” she said. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut termed it a “petty” statement and urged to “show a little restraint” at such a time. “We are all in mourning that such a major mishap occurred this morning. All of us are discussing in Parliament that many people travel by helicopter. So, instead of speaking such petty things at such a time, she should show a little restraint,” she said.Pawar died along with four others when the aircraft they were travelling in, crashed near Baramati in Pune district. The Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, made a crash landing at Baramati airport. The aviation regulator DGCA said there were five people on board, including crew members.
