Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of engaging in “dirty and despicable politics” following the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash.

Calling her remarks “deeply unfortunate,” Fadnavis said it was wrong to politicise a tragedy when leaders across the country were mourning the loss of a senior Maharashtra leader.

“It's very unfortunate. Senior leader Sharad Pawar himself has very clearly stated that an accident occurred, and tragically, lives were lost in the accident, and that politics should not be played over this. I am deeply saddened that we have reached such a point where such dirty and despicable politics are being played out even over someone's death,” Fadnavis told ANI.

He added, “I am very sad that Mamata Didi is stooping to such a low level in politics; it is very unfortunate and completely wrong. She should not have made such a statement. To insult a very close and beloved leader of Maharashtra by politicising his death in this manner is absolutely wrong.”

What did Mamata Banerjee say?

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, alleging that existing agencies were “completely compromised.” Her demand received support from several opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Speaking in Kolkata, Banerjee said, “We trust only the Supreme Court. All other agencies have been completely compromised.” She also claimed that Ajit Pawar had been planning to return to the NCP (SP) faction and said the incident raised serious concerns about the safety of political leaders in the country.

“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,” Banerjee said.

Sharad Pawar urges leaders not to politicise tragedy

Reacting to the controversy, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar appealed to political leaders not to turn the tragedy into a political issue. He said the crash was an accident and that Maharashtra had lost a “dynamic and decisive leader.”

“There is no politics in it. It was an accident. I request not to bring politics into it,” Pawar said in a video message.