Digvijaya demands full DGCA investigation into Ajit Pawar air crash

Bhopal: Former chief minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday demanded a thorough investigation into the aircraft company and its maintenance after a crash killed Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and 4 others. "It is a matter of deep sorrow that Ajit Dada died in a plane crash," Digvijaya Singh said. "Ajit Pawar had a long political history and experience. It is a major jolt for all of us. Coincidentally, his wife, Sunetraji, is in the Rajya Sabha and is a member of the same Parliamentary Committee of which I am the chairman," Singh said.Digvijaya Singh is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on education, women, children, youth and sports. Sunetra Ajit Pawar is a member of the committee. "But why did this accident happen?" the former chief minister asked. "According to the preliminary information received, an aircraft of the same company had a similar crash in Mumbai 3 years ago. The incident happened due to low visibility. Under normal circumstances, no aeroplane should make a landing attempt unless there is visibility of at least 5 km," Digvijaya Singh argued. He further said, "It (the aircraft) tried to land on the first attempt but then went for take-off again. The second time it tried to land, the incident happened. The plane missed the airstrip. DGCA should conduct a full investigation into the incident. And who is looking after the maintenance of the aircraft from that company which suffered an air crash three years ago? Does the company have DGCA clearance? There should be a detailed investigation into this. My condolences to the family, and I pay homage to him." Chief minister Mohan Yadav took to social media and paid homage to Ajit Pawar. "The honourable deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar ji was always dedicated to the service of the poor, deprived and backward communities," chief minister Yadav said. "His invaluable contribution to the development of Maharashtra was remarkable. He was a leader connected to the grassroots. On his untimely demise, I express my heartfelt condolences. I pray to Lord Mahakal to grant him a place at his divine feet and bestow strength upon the grieving family to bear this sorrow." Former chief minister Kamal Nath also took to social media and said, "We received the news of the tragic demise of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in an aeroplane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. The demise of Ajit Pawar caused an irreparable loss to India's politics. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the people of Maharashtra. May God grant peace to his soul and give strength to the family members to bear this sorrow."