New Delhi, February 22, 2026: In a significant political development, NCP (SP) general secretary and MLA Rohit Pawar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the resignation or removal of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu until the investigation into the January 28 plane crash that killed Maharashtra's former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is completed.
The crash involved a chartered Learjet 45XR (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures, which veered off the runway and burst into flames while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district. Ajit Pawar, along with four others on board—including pilots, a cabin crew member, and his personal security officer—perished in the incident. No survivors were reported.
In his letter, a copy of which was also marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rohit Pawar—nephew of Ajit Pawar and grandson of NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar—expressed concerns over the independence and credibility of the ongoing probe. He highlighted alleged links between the aircraft operator VSR Ventures and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the party affiliated with Civil Aviation Minister Naidu. Rohit Pawar argued that these connections create a potential conflict of interest, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) falls under the minister's oversight.
"Serious questions have arisen about the company VSR and its links with Rammohan Naidu's party (TDP)," Rohit Pawar stated in the letter, according to reports from multiple sources including PTI and major news outlets. He emphasized that for a fair, transparent, and independent investigation—preferably involving international agencies or a time-bound process—the minister should step aside to avoid any perception of influence or interference.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, Rohit Pawar reiterated these demands and alleged that the crash may involve broader irregularities or a conspiracy, though he clarified his focus remains on ensuring probe integrity rather than directly attributing causation. He has previously raised issues such as extra fuel tanks on the aircraft, pilot scheduling anomalies, and regulatory lapses.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the technical probe, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days as per ICAO norms. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has stated that special audits of VSR Ventures and other operators are underway, and it has urged against speculation while the investigation proceeds.
Ajit Pawar's death has left a major void in Maharashtra politics, triggering three days of state mourning and ongoing questions about aviation safety for VIP charter flights. Rohit Pawar's letter adds to calls from NCP (SP) for a CBI inquiry or enhanced oversight.
No immediate response from the Prime Minister's Office or the Civil Aviation Ministry to the letter has been reported as of Saturday evening. The development underscores deepening political tensions surrounding the tragic incident.
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