Mumbai, Jan. 28 -- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday strongly criticised those trying to give "a conspiratorial angle" to Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar's death in a plane accident.

"Whenever an accident occurs, an inquiry into the incident is conducted. This incident will also be investigated, and therefore, if anyone is attempting to politicise it, it is extremely unfortunate. Senior leader Sharad Pawar has also clearly stated that there was no sabotage involved. It is necessary to console the Pawar family in their grief," Shinde told the media.

Shinde said that Ajit Pawar had served in various capacities--as a Member of Parliament, minister, MLA, and Deputy Chief Minister. With his passing, the...