New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) 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.
“This has hurt everyone, including his family members, and we share their grief and pray that they can bear this loss,” the Congress chief told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
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.
“There has to be an investigation because these kinds of incidents keep happening. Everybody is wondering why…” Desai said.
“On one hand, demand for chartered planes has increased, private planes are on the rise, but at the same time, incidents of technical glitches, or other reasons come forth after an accident, there has to be a thorough investigation…,” he said.
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.
“This is extremely unfortunate. If anyone else wants to play politics, let them do so, but political people are supposed to understand everything; they are aware of all facts.
“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.
BJD Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra said that the incident should be thoroughly investigated.
Pawar (66) and four others were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning.
The Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at the Baramati airport. The five people onboard included crew members, according to the aviation regulator DGCA.
Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said that as per the preliminary information, visibility at the airport was poor when the aircraft carrying crashed.
“Teams from the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) have arrived to carry out a probe into the accident. Preliminary information suggests that visibility was poor at the time the aircraft was attempting to land,” said Naidu.
When ATC Baramati asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, the response was negative, following which the aircraft executed a go-around, he said.
During the second landing attempt, ATC again asked whether the runway was in sight, to which the pilot responded in the affirmative, the minister said.
After the ATC granted landing clearance, the aircraft crashed, Naidu said, adding, “We are seeking more details and will conduct the investigation in a transparent manner.” PTI AO RT RT
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