Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam on Monday, 9 November 2026, demanded a high-level inquiry into whether NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader and Maharashtra state president Sunil Tatkare had any role in the fatal plane crash that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The explosive allegations, made during the Diwali festival period, have triggered a sharp political storm in Maharashtra and pushed tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance to a breaking point.

The Fatal Crash and the Allegations

According to reports, Ajit Pawar's flight had taken off from Mumbai bound for Baramati, but met with a fatal accident while landing at the Baramati airstrip, resulting in his death. Following the incident, political recriminations have rapidly intensified.

Kadam directly linked Tatkare to the crash, alleging, 'Sunil Tatkare is a demonic person. He cannot be loyal to anyone. He used to be the Personal Assistant (PA) to A R Antulay saheb, and he finished him off too.'

Kadam went further, alleging that Tatkare harboured ambitions to become Deputy Chief Minister and would go to any lengths to fulfil them. 'Whoever gets close to Tatkare, he works to destroy them... Therefore, an investigation must be conducted from the angle of whether Tatkare had a hand in Ajit Pawar's fatal crash. His ambitions are monstrous, and he can do anything to fulfil them,' Kadam allegedly claimed.

Tatkare and NCP Hit Back

Sunil Tatkare has vehemently denied all allegations, calling them entirely baseless. He stated that he would address the media at a formal press conference to present his side of the story.

NCP national spokesperson Umesh Patil also responded, framing the controversy as a localised political rivalry. 'Ramdas Kadam has made allegations against Tatkare in the past as well. Tatkare has been working in the Konkan region for the last 40 years, building the party against the Shiv Sena. Therefore, this should be viewed as a local-level political conflict,' Patil said, adding that Kadam should have spoken with evidence.

Congress Calls for Inquiry

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar entered the fray, stating that given the gravity of the accusations Kadam had levelled, a formal inquiry should be initiated. His remarks signal that the opposition intends to keep political pressure on the ruling alliance over the issue.

Family Feud and Social Media Escalation

The row has also spilled into personal territory. Ajay Birvatkar, a Zilla Parishad member and Tatkare's brother-in-law, took to social media to respond sharply after reportedly being offended by Kadam's remarks. A prior dispute over seating arrangements at a foundation-stone laying ceremony for the Poynar dam in Khed is said to have added fuel to the fire.

Birvatkar posted: 'When a person's downfall begins, such frantic ranting follows. Even if one has the ambition to touch the sky, one's feet must remain on the ground. However, if self-respect is hurt, the market will be dismantled' — a sharp warning that analysts say signals a deeper, potentially lasting rift between the two camps within the Mahayuti coalition.

What It Means for the Mahayuti Alliance

This episode lays bare the underlying fault lines within the Mahayuti alliance, particularly in Raigad district. With the Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) as nominal coalition partners, public spats of this intensity raise questions about the alliance's durability ahead of future electoral contests. As the probe demand gains support from the opposition, all eyes now turn to whether the Maharashtra government will order a formal inquiry.