Chopper Which Crashed Killing 3 In Pune Was Booked By NCP For Upcoming Polls & Scheduled To Pick Party Chief Sunil Tatkare Next Day

Chopper Which Crashed Killing 3 In Pune Was Booked By NCP For Upcoming Polls & Scheduled To Pick Party Chief Sunil Tatkare Next Day

The helicopter that crashed in Pune on Wednesday killing three crew memebers was hired by the Nationalist Congress Party for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Abhishek SinghUpdated: Wednesday, October 02, 2024, 06:28 PM IST
article-image
Pune helicopter crash (left), Sunil Tatkare with Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (Right)

The helicopter that crashed in Pune on Wednesday killing three crew members was hired by the Nationalist Congress Party for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. As per reports, it was intended to carry its state unit president and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Tatkare, who was scheduled to travel to his native village of Sutarwadi in Raigad.

Tatkare confirmed that the helicopter had been booked by the party for the duration of the elections. "The helicopter was booked by the party for the travelling purposes until the completion of the elections. We had gone to Parli a day before to participate in the Jan Sanman Yatra of the party," he said in a statement to the media.

Both Tatkare and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had travelled from Beed to Mumbai on Tuesday night to meet Union Minister Amit Shah, who was in Mumbai for seat-sharing discussions related to the ruling Mahayuti alliance. 

"Helicopter was stationed in Pune to take me to Sutarwadi," Tatkare

As per Tatkare, the helicopter was stationed in Pune for a night halt, and was expected to fly to Mumbai to pick him up on Wednesday morning. "We came to Mumbai and the helicopter was in Pune. It was to come here (Mumbai) and take me to Sutarwadi," he added.

Tatkare was set to attend multiple events in Sutarwadi and planned to return to Mumbai afterward. Due to the tragic incident, he traveled by road instead. 

The helicopter, operated by Heritage Aviation, crashed in the Bavdhan area of Pune while en route to Mumbai. As per reports the aircraft was on its way from Oxford Golf Course resort to Juhu when the accident occurred.

RECENT STORIES

Air India Terminates San Francisco–Mumbai Flight In Kolkata After Engine Snag

Air India Terminates San Francisco–Mumbai Flight In Kolkata After Engine Snag

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's Father Pays Emotional Tribute To Pilot-Son Amid...

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's Father Pays Emotional Tribute To Pilot-Son Amid...

Air India Mumbai-Ahmedabad Flight AI2493 Cancelled After Crew Exceeds Duty Time Amid Delay

Air India Mumbai-Ahmedabad Flight AI2493 Cancelled After Crew Exceeds Duty Time Amid Delay

Pune Bridge Collapse Fallout: District Administration To Dismantle All Bridges Unfit For Use...

Pune Bridge Collapse Fallout: District Administration To Dismantle All Bridges Unfit For Use...

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Mortal Remains Of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Pilot Of Ill-fated Air India...

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Mortal Remains Of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Pilot Of Ill-fated Air India...