Pune

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Saturday said doubts continue to linger over the circumstances of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s death in an air crash, adding that he would present a detailed analysis on the incident on February 10.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in the Zilla Parishad elections in Baramati, the MLA said several questions remained unanswered regarding the January 28 crash in Baramati in which Ajit Pawar lost his life.

“Everyone has questions and doubts about how the crash happened. I will give a presentation in Mumbai on February 10, where I will explain why the crash occurred and how it may have taken place,” Rohit Pawar said.

The local body elections, covering 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis, were held on Saturday after being postponed from February 5 following Ajit Pawar’s death. For these polls, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the NCP have joined hands, with candidates contesting on the NCP’s ‘clock’ symbol.

Rohit Pawar, who represents the Karjat-Jamkhed assembly constituency in Ahilyanagar district, said Ajit Pawar had strongly wished for unity between the rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party.

“Ajit dada genuinely wanted the party to come together as one family. Today, everyone has come together. He had initiated these efforts, and we will continue in the same spirit. The Pawar family remains united,” he said.

He further said he would elaborate on the proposed merger of the two factions on February 12.

“I will explain why the merger was being discussed, what Ajit dada’s real intention was, and whether it was political or emotional in nature,” he added.

Reacting to Rohit Pawar’s remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said doubts over Ajit Pawar’s death have also been raised by several NCP leaders, including MLA Amol Mitkari, minister Chhagan Bhujbal and NCP (SP) MP Bajrang Sonawane.

Raut criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for asking political parties not to politicise the issue instead of addressing the concerns.

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“If family members and close associates of Ajit Pawar have doubts about his death, why should the Chief Minister or the BJP leadership feel uncomfortable about it?” Raut said.