‘Was Pilot a Suicide Bomber?’ NCP MLC Amol Mitkari Sparks Storm Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Nearly a month after the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the controversy surrounding his plane crash shows no sign of fading. On Monday, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari stoked fresh political tensions at a public programme in Akola, raising explosive questions about the circumstances of the January 28 crash that killed the 66-year-old leader at Baramati airport.
Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai when his chartered aircraft went down, claiming his life along with several others. Since then, leaders from both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party have been calling for a thorough probe into the incident.
‘A Mystery Like a Riddle on Barren Land’
Addressing the gathering, Mitkari described Ajit Pawar’s death as an unresolved enigma. “Dada’s death remains a mystery, like a riddle on barren land,” he said, drawing a parallel to what he called the mystery of Gojubavi Malran. He paid tribute to Pawar as a leader who didn’t merely invoke the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Shahu Maharaj — but actually lived them.
Pressing further, Mitkari raised pointed questions about the nature of the crash. “Was it an accident or a conspiracy? If someone claims it was not an accident, they must prove it. Otherwise, how can it be dismissed as an ambush? Maharashtra deserves to know the truth. And why is the state still so calm despite all this?” he asked.
Mitkari Draws Comparison to Rajiv Gandhi Assassination
In his most incendiary remarks, Mitkari turned his attention to the pilot who died in the crash, identified as Kapoor. He alleged that Kapoor had a history of alcohol consumption, had been suspended three times by the BSR company, and held an insurance cover of ₹50 crore. Drawing a stark and controversial comparison, he asked: “Was he a suicide bomber?”
Mitkari invoked the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to elaborate on his point. “Suicide bombers were used by the LTTE during Rajiv Gandhi’s time. A woman garlanded him, touched his feet, and a bomb exploded. That was a suicide bomber,” he claimed, adding that he has urged party MLAs to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking clarity on the crash.
Also Read: Maharashtra Budget Session 2026: CM Fadnavis Pays Tribute To The Legacy Of Ajit Pawar
He also raised questions about the whereabouts of other individuals connected to the flight. “Where is Kapoor now? His wife arrived on the third day and claimed her husband is alive. If the DGCA says six people died, then where did one person go? And where are the two pilots, Sahil Madan and Yash, who were reportedly replaced at the last minute?” Mitkari said.
“Maharashtra must have the courage to ask these questions. This loss is not just of the Pawar family — it is a loss for the entire state. If we do not wake up now, future generations will question our silence,” he added.
About Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar died on January 28 when his chartered plane crashed while flying from Mumbai to Baramati. The nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, he was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on a non-consecutive basis, having held the post across six terms under Chief Ministers Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.