Last call before tragedy: Ajit Pawar’s conversation surfaces days after Baramati plane crash
Call, placed around six minutes before the aircraft went down on January 28, was between Ajit Pawar and his cousin, NCP worker Shrijit Pawar
PTC Web Desk: A phone conversation made just minutes before the fatal aircraft crash at Baramati airport in Pune has added an emotional layer to the investigation into the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others.
The call, placed around six minutes before the aircraft went down on January 28, was between Ajit Pawar and his cousin, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) worker Shrijit Pawar. The recording was made public by Shrijit Pawar during a press conference on Tuesday, where he said the discussion reflected Ajit Pawar’s political approach and commitment to inclusive representation.
According to Shrijit Pawar, he had earlier sent a message to Ajit Pawar suggesting that the Mali community be adequately represented in the upcoming district council elections. Despite being in transit, Ajit Pawar personally called him from inside the aircraft to address the concern.
“He told me that we move forward by taking all communities together,” Shrijit Pawar said. “That was his belief till the very end. I felt it was important for people to hear his last words.”
In the audio excerpt shared with the media, Ajit Pawar can be heard explaining that decisions were taken after due consideration and that his party had already allotted a district council ticket to a candidate from the Mali community under the OBC reservation. He added that other political parties had chosen different candidates, but his party had fulfilled its responsibility.
Shrijit Pawar responded by acknowledging Ajit Pawar’s explanation and told him to take whatever final decision he felt was appropriate.
Addressing questions about why the recording begins abruptly, Shrijit Pawar clarified that there were no formal greetings because Ajit Pawar had already read the message and recognised the caller’s number before making the call.
Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to campaign for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. The aircraft was scheduled to land at 8.45 am. Officials said the pilot aborted the first landing attempt, circled the area, and during the second attempt, the aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into an open area near the airstrip.
All occupants, including Ajit Pawar, died at the site of the crash. Authorities have stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine whether the incident was an accident or involved possible sabotage.