Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Controversy Surrounds Ajit Pawar's Death and Sunetra's Appointment
Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash near Baramati.
His death has sparked a lot of controversy, with some people, like Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena, saying it might not have been an accident and that the BJP might have been involved.
They say Ajit Pawar was thinking about leaving the BJP and joining his family's faction of the NCP, and the BJP threatened him with files about a scam.
Just a few days after his death, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, was appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister.
This happened very quickly, and some people, including Sharad Pawar (Ajit's uncle), said they didn't know about it beforehand.
The Shiv Sena newspaper, Saamana, said the BJP was behind this appointment to control the NCP and stop the two factions from uniting.
The BJP says it was just an accident, and there's no proof of any conspiracy.
The NCP is now split, with some leaders wanting to merge the factions and others wanting to stay with the BJP.
Sunetra Pawar has a big job ahead of her to keep the party together and deal with the BJP.
Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near Baramati, Maharashtra, sparking allegations of conspiracy.
Shiv Sena and Congress leaders claim BJP threatened Ajit Pawar with the Sinchan Scam files before his death.
Sunetra Pawar was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister just days after her husband's funeral, with allegations of BJP involvement.
Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule stated they had no prior information about Sunetra Pawar's appointment.
The NCP is facing internal divisions, with some leaders aiming to prevent the unification of the two NCP factions.
- Who
- Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar, BJP leaders, NCP leaders, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, Congress leaders
- What
- Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash and Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- When
- Days after Ajit Pawar's funeral
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Why
- Alleged political manoeuvres by BJP leadership and NCP factionalism
Opposition (Shiv Sena, Congress)
BJP
Circumstances of Ajit Pawar's Death
Opposition (Shiv Sena, Congress)
Suspicious, possibly a conspiracy involving BJP threats and the Sinchan Scam files.
BJP
A pure accident with no evidence of conspiracy.
Sunetra Pawar's Appointment
Opposition (Shiv Sena, Congress)
A political maneuver by BJP to control the NCP and prevent faction unification.
BJP
No official stance, but BJP leaders have not denied involvement.
- Person Involved
- Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar, Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel, Sanjay Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Ujjwal Nikam, Anil Deshmukh, Amol Mitkari
- Event
- Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash and Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy CM
- Timing
- Days after Ajit Pawar's funeral
- Public Reaction
- Mixed reactions, some supportive, others critical
- Family Reaction
- Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule unaware of the decision
- Accusation
- BJP leadership orchestrated the appointment and possibly involved in Ajit Pawar's death
- Editorial Source
- Saamana (Shiv Sena UBT mouthpiece)
- Political Context
- NCP factionalism and BJP influence
- Investigation
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has started a formal investigation
Sources
'Sunetra must've gone to Raj Bhavan day after funeral'
Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims
'Pawar Play': Has Sharad Pawar, Master Of Political Optics, Returned?
Samaana Alleges BJP Hand Behind Sunetra Pawar’s Deputy CM Oath
‘A boat without a navigator’: Saamana flags uncertainty in NCP, says party now runs on ‘Fadnavis engine’
"Something Fishy About The Crash": Shiv Sena, Congress On Ajit Pawar's Death
'BJP mastermind behind Sunetra Pawar's appointment as DCM'
‘Dada’s death suspicious’: Sanjay Raut claims BJP threatened Ajit Pawar with Sinchan Scam files, demands probe
‘Ajit Pawar’s death is suspicious’: Sanjay Raut flags ‘something dubious’ over plane crash that killed Maha Dy CM
'Rahasyamaye Maut...': Sanjay Raut Raises Questions On Ajit Pawar's Death, Cites 'Sinchan Files' Link
Can Sunetra Pawar hold a patriarchal party together while negotiating with a voracious BJP?
