Shinde Condemns Politicization of Ajit PawarS Death, Pledges Thorough Investigation
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde strongly criticized teh politicization of the recent tragic death of his cabinet colleague, Ajit Pawar, in an aircraft crash on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. shinde affirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, which claimed the lives of Pawar and four others.
Speaking to reporters in Thane,Shinde urged against the spread of rumors and cautioned against attempts to misrepresent the sensitive incident. He emphasized the need to allow the investigation to proceed without speculation or political interference.
Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena, expressed his personal loss, describing Pawar as an “elder brother” with whom he shared a long-standing professional relationship, having served alongside him in various cabinets and as his deputy during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2022 to 2024.
“This is a deeply painful and unfortunate event for Maharashtra,” Shinde stated, confirming that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. The investigation will encompass scrutiny of the airline company, relevant regulatory agencies, technical experts, the aircraft captain, and any other potentially involved parties.
However, Shinde firmly asserted that it is inappropriate to engage in political maneuvering or level unsubstantiated allegations of conspiracy under the guise of inquiry. He made these remarks following a visit to Baramati, Pawar’s constituency.
PTI contributed to this report.
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