A mechanical fault was detected in the helicopter shortly before it was scheduled to ferry Maharashtra minister Pankaj Munde to the Zilla Parishad election campaign in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, PTI news agency reported citing airport authorities.
The glitch was identified late on Monday evening, just hours before the BJP leader’s scheduled flight to Latur, the official said.
According to reports, Munde arrived in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Monday in a private jet and later in the afternoon used a helicopter for campaign-related travel. However, during a routine maintenance check later that night, aviation technicians discovered technical problems with the plane and alerted officials at Chikalthana Airport, authorities said.
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The chopper was supposed to fly from Munde to Latur on Tuesday at around 11:00 am but the departure was delayed by almost two hours, they added.
Speaking to reporters, Munde said the helicopter was out of date, but decided not to complain and continued with her program as planned.
She noted that after the fatal plane crash of NCP leader Ajit Pawar on January 28 in Baramati, air travel had created unrest among political leaders. Munde actively campaigned for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections held on February 7 and held several rallies across Marathwada.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, 66, was killed along with four others after the plane carrying them crashed while trying to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district last week.
The chartered plane made an emergency landing near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board. Among those who died were Pawar’s personal security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots.
Expressing deep grief after Pawar’s death, Munde said, “It is a matter of great grief. Ajit Dada was an active, disciplined and efficient leader and minister. Much more good work could have been done for Maharashtra through him and his sudden death is deeply painful. I understand the grief of his family as we have gone through a similar experience and it will take some time to absorb the shock.”
Several political parties have since raised serious questions about Pawar’s death and the planes involved in it, demanding a thorough investigation.
Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan has called for a detailed inquiry into the growing number of air incidents.
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“Ajit Dada was a very good and hardworking leader who kept his word,” Khan said. “We took oath together in the Maharashtra cabinet five times and worked closely together. When I proposed reservations for the Marathas and backward sections of the Muslim community, Ajit Dada Pawar was the first to support it in the cabinet.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sachin Ahir also reacted to Pawar’s death when he said from Baramati, “We are completely stunned and can’t believe that this has happened. Just yesterday, Dada was with us. He lived a challenging life. I had the opportunity to work as a minister of state in his cabinet. Such a personality is no longer with us – it is a great loss not only to everyone but also to Udhav for the state and the will.”