Newsroom, February 21, 2026: NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu to step down until a full investigation concludes into the January 28 plane crash at Baramati airport in Maharashtra.
The incident claimed the life of Maharashtra's former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others when their chartered Learjet crashed shortly after takeoff.
Pawar, nephew of the late Ajit Pawar and grandson of NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, cited serious concerns over the charter company VSR's alleged connections to Naidu's party, the TDP.
He argued these ties could compromise the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's role and prevent an impartial inquiry. Pawar called for an independent investigation, possibly with international involvement, to examine any potential conspiracy or sabotage claims.
A copy of the letter went to Home Minister Amit Shah. The TDP has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and baseless.
