Political skies over Maharashtra grew tense as BJP leader and Environment Minister Pankaja Munde’s helicopter malfunctioned right before liftoff from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Bound for Latur’s district council election rallies on Tuesday, the timely detection of the issue forestalled a heartbreaking tragedy.
Munde’s team confirmed the cancellation, rescheduling her Latur agenda after Monday’s spirited addresses in Bajajnagar for BJP district groups. The snag’s details are pending official disclosure, leaving room for unease in aviation-dependent campaigns.
This follows closely on the heels of January 28’s devastating crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Pawar’s plane went down at Baramati runway en route to panchayat election events, plunging the state into sorrow. His funeral at Vidya Pratishthan drew overflowing tributes, and Sunetra Pawar was promptly appointed Deputy CM with major departmental responsibilities.
Munde’s narrow miss amplifies calls for foolproof aviation oversight amid intensifying local polls. Her dogged campaigning—connecting directly with voters in areas like Daulatabad—remains pivotal for BJP’s strategy. As experts dissect the helicopter fault, Maharashtra’s leaders face a stark reminder: in the heat of elections, safety cannot be an afterthought.