‘Needs proper investigation’: Mamata Banerjee demands answers in Ajit Pawar plane crash

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called for a "proper investigation" into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, expressing deep shock over the tragic incident in Pune district.

"The incident needs proper investigation," Banerjee stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after news of the crash was confirmed by aviation authorities.

The Chief Minister described herself as "deeply shocked and stunned" by the sudden demise of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader. "The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss," she added.

Banerjee extended her condolences to the Pawar family, specifically mentioning Ajit Pawar's uncle and NCP founder, Sharad Pawar, as well as the leader's many friends and followers.

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The fatal accident occurred at approximately 8:45 am on Wednesday when a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) attempted to land at Baramati airport. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, operated by VSR, lost control during its descent and crash-landed near the runway threshold.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions as the plane was reduced to flames upon impact. Local villagers rushed to the site, but the intensity of the blaze prevented immediate rescue efforts.

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Officials confirmed that there were five people on board the chartered flight.

The DGCA has confirmed that there were no survivors. Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to his home base of Baramati to address a series of public rallies ahead of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. Investigators from the DGCA are currently heading to the site to determine the exact cause of the crash.