Supriya Sule slams Maharashtra govt over inaction in Ajit Pawar crash probe

Thane, Sep 3 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President and MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra state government and the ruling NCP faction, raising sharp questions over the lack of progress and non-registration of an FIR in the fatal plane crash of her brother and former Deputy Chief Minister, late Ajit Pawar.

Addressing a press conference at the party office in Thane, Sule drew a stark contrast between the swift police action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray and the perceived official apathy surrounding Ajit Pawar’s tragic death.

Reacting to the case registered against MNS leader Amit Thackeray for removing a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sule questioned the government’s priorities. “When a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed, a case is registered against Amit Thackeray within two hours. On the other hand, no FIR has been lodged yet in the death case of my brother Ajit Pawar,” she remarked.

She further expressed deep distress over the complete lack of transparency in the investigation. “My brother met with such a major aviation accident. He was the sitting Deputy Chief Minister of the state, yet the government has not filed a single case. We have no idea where the probe stands or what its status is,” she stated.

Targeting the ruling NCP MLAs and ministers who were close associates of the late leader, Sule slammed them for enjoying political power while remaining silent on the investigation.

“The Ajit Pawar faction is part of the ruling government. Yet, not a single one of their 40 MLAs or 9 ministers has uttered a single word demanding an FIR or a probe into my brother’s death. My brother is gone, but these people continue to enjoy the fruits of power without seeking justice for him,” she alleged.

Expanding her criticism beyond political issues, Sule touched upon key public grievances across Maharashtra. She ridiculed the state of roads across Maharashtra, stating that commuters can no longer tell whether roads have potholes or potholes have roads.

She highlighted opposition from Kolhapur farmers against the Shaktipeeth Highway project, accusing the government of forcefully imposing costly projects on citizens.

Opposing the proposed Thane Ring Metro, Sule demanded that the government focus on improving basic bus services instead. “Why execute a project worth Rs 1,00,000 when work can be done efficiently for Rs 500? The government only favours expensive mega-projects, leaving no funds for essential, low-cost public needs,” she charged.

Commenting on the rising cost of living, Sule noted that milk prices have crossed Rs 100 per litre. She questioned how common taxpayers are expected to survive when the government offers no relief despite collecting heavy taxes.

Sule revealed that her party is closely reviewing voter lists daily to track names that have been arbitrarily deleted or modified.

Speaking on ongoing legal battles regarding party legitimacy, she lamented the continuous deferrals in court, asking, “When will this cycle of ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ (endless dates) finally end in our lives?”

–IANS

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