Pune, April 29 -- NCP leader Parth Pawar has moved to quell a rising political firestorm, labelling his recent use of a VSR Aviation aircraft a "last-minute administrative error."

The clarification comes amid heavy criticism, as VSR Aviation is the same firm involved in the tragic crash that claimed the life of his father, Ajit Pawar, earlier this year.

Pawar took to X on Tuesday to address the optics of boarding a flight operated by a company he has publicly opposed.

According to his statement, Pawar needed to travel immediately to Modi Baug, Pune, for an urgent meeting. He claimed he was unaware of the aircraft's operator until he arrived at the airport and saw the plane on the tarmac.

He attributed the booking to his staff's "inadv...