The political atmosphere in Maharashtra has once again intensified following fresh demands regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar has publicly voiced serious concerns about the tragic loss of the senior leader and demanded an independent inquiry. Capitalizing on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Pune, the legislator argued that only a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can uncover the actual reality behind the incident.
Statue Unveiling and Naming of Infrastructure Projects
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Pune on Sunday for a two-day official visit. As part of his schedule on Monday, the Home Minister is slated to unveil a memorial statue of Ajit Pawar at the Pune Zilla Parishad office complex. Addressing this upcoming ceremony, Rohit Pawar remarked that merely erecting a statue is far from adequate when it comes to acknowledging the immense public contributions made by the late leader over his decades-long political career.
Through a statement published on the social media platform X, Rohit Pawar extended his gratitude to the Zilla Parishad representatives who originally supported the initiative to install the statue. However, he launched a sharp critique against current state government ministers who attained power with Ajit Pawar's political backing, questioning why none of them are demanding that the prestigious Pune Ring Road project be named after him.
Decade of Leadership as Guardian Minister
Emphasizing Ajit Pawar's enduring impact on local governance, Rohit Pawar pointed out that the late leader served as the Guardian Minister for Pune district for more than ten years. Throughout his tenure, he played a pivotal role in driving regional infrastructure and developmental projects across Pune and Maharashtra. Consequently, naming a landmark development like the Pune Ring Road in his memory would serve as a fitting tribute to his administrative legacy.
Rohit Pawar further raised doubts about whether certain political figures are deliberately opposing the idea of dedicating a major infrastructure initiative to Ajit Pawar's name, questioning the rationale behind withholding such recognition from a leader who dedicated his life to the state's growth.
Appeal to Amit Shah and Threat of Widespread Agitation
Directing his appeal directly to the central leadership during Amit Shah's presence in Pune, Rohit Pawar urged the Union Home Minister to issue formal announcements regarding both demands. He specified that the central government should officially declare the naming of the Pune Ring Road after Ajit Pawar and simultaneously transfer the investigation into his death to the CBI.
Issuing a clear warning regarding future action, Rohit Pawar stated, "It would be appropriate for Amit Shah to announce that the Pune Ring Road will be named after Ajit Pawar and that a CBI probe into his death will be ordered, failing which we will launch a massive agitation on Ajit Pawar's death anniversary to push for this demand."
Context of the Baramati Aircraft Crash and Conspiracy Concerns
The controversy dates back to January 28, when Maharashtra's sitting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in an aircraft crash in Baramati, located within Pune district. Ever since the tragic crash, persistent doubts have been raised by various quarters regarding the technical and situational aspects of the flight.
Rohit Pawar stressed that relentless efforts will be made to establish whether the crash on January 28 was purely a fatal accident or part of a calculated conspiracy. He reiterated his firm stance that a full-fledged CBI investigation remains essential to bring every hidden fact into the public domain.
