Sunetra Pawar becomes Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister following Ajit Pawar’s tragic death. Read how political realignments, NCP leadership changes, and stalled merger talks are reshaping state politics.
In a historic yet emotionally charged development, Sunetra Pawar was on Saturday sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, marking a significant moment in the state’s political history. Her elevation comes just days after the sudden and tragic death of her husband, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a subdued ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, keeping in mind the atmosphere of mourning that continues to grip the state’s political fraternity. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, members of the Council of Ministers, and several legislators were present at the ceremony.
Sunetra Pawar’s appointment is being viewed as both a milestone for women’s representation in Maharashtra politics and a response to the leadership vacuum that emerged following Ajit Pawar’s untimely demise. Known primarily for maintaining a low public profile, Sunetra Pawar’s sudden entry into active politics under extraordinary circumstances has drawn widespread attention and debate.
Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NCP Legislature Party. The proposal was moved by senior party leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal and seconded by Dilip Walse Patil, with support from other legislators. The meeting was convened at Vidhan Bhavan after Sunetra Pawar, still coping with personal grief, consented to shoulder the responsibility of leading the legislature party.
State NCP president Sunil Tatkare formally communicated the decision to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, following which the Chief Minister informed the Governor about Sunetra Pawar’s induction into the Council of Ministers as Deputy Chief Minister. On Friday, Tatkare had issued a directive to all NCP legislators, including 40 members of the Legislative Assembly and nine members of the Legislative Council, to attend the crucial legislature party meeting.
The political developments unfolded amid intense consultations within the ruling MahaYuti alliance. A high-level NCP delegation, comprising working president Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif, and former minister Dhananjay Munde, met Chief Minister Fadnavis to deliberate on leadership continuity following Ajit Pawar’s death. The discussions covered the appointment of the legislature party leader and the Deputy Chief Minister to ensure stability within both the party and the government.
Meanwhile, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar clarified that he was not consulted regarding Sunetra Pawar’s elevation. Addressing a press conference, he stated that he learned about the swearing-in ceremony through media reports and had no direct discussion with Sunetra Pawar on the matter. He emphasized that internal decisions of the party faction led by Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare were beyond his purview.
Sharad Pawar also spoke at length about ongoing talks related to the possible reunification of the two NCP factions. He revealed that positive discussions had taken place between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil and that the merger was close to being finalized, with an announcement expected in mid-February. However, Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise has stalled the process, leaving the future of the talks uncertain.
Following Sharad Pawar’s public remarks, Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar, along with NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar, met the senior leader to brief him on the recent political developments. Sharad Pawar reiterated that while discussions had been underway, he was not directly involved in the negotiations.
| Also Read: Ajit Pawar’s Death Revives Dark History of Political Plane Crashes |
Reflecting on the loss, Sharad Pawar paid an emotional tribute to Ajit Pawar, describing him as a tireless leader deeply connected with the grassroots. He said Ajit Pawar’s death was not only a personal loss to the family but also a major setback for Maharashtra’s political landscape.
As Sunetra Pawar assumes office, the state watches closely how she navigates governance, party leadership, and coalition dynamics during one of the most challenging periods in recent political memory.
