In a significant political development marked by both grief and transition, Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister on Friday. Her elevation comes days after the tragic death of her husband, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash near Baramati.
Sunetra Pawar has been entrusted with the portfolios of excise duty, sports and youth welfare, and minority development. The key finance and planning departments, previously overseen by Ajit Pawar, will now remain with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected leader of the NCP Legislature Party. Her name was proposed by senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal and seconded by Dilip Patil, among others. The decision was formally communicated to the Chief Minister and later forwarded to Governor Acharya Devvrat, paving the way for her oath-taking ceremony.
Soon after she assumed office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her, expressing confidence in her leadership and commitment to public welfare as she steps into a historic role.
Rohit Pawar, MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed and a relative, reflected the emotional mood within the party, saying that while Ajit Pawar’s place can never truly be filled, his presence would be felt through Sunetra Pawar’s leadership.
The appointment has also brought renewed attention to ongoing discussions around the reunification of the NCP. Veteran leader Sharad Pawar stated that while talks were underway, he was not directly involved in the negotiations. He clarified that discussions were being handled by leaders from both factions.
Until recently, Sunetra Pawar had largely stayed away from active politics. She entered the public arena during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, contesting from Baramati, though she lost to Supriya Sule in a closely watched contest. She was later elected to the Rajya Sabha, marking the beginning of her formal political journey.
Sources indicate that the decision to elevate her was taken swiftly after Ajit Pawar’s death, as leaders within his faction sought continuity in leadership and aimed to prevent internal uncertainty. Even as the Pawar family mourned their loss, political deliberations moved quickly, culminating in Sunetra Pawar’s appointment.
As Maharashtra witnesses this unprecedented moment, all eyes remain on how Sunetra Pawar will shape her role amid shifting political equations and the emotional weight of recent events.
