NCP Backs Sunetra Pawar for Key Role, Deputy CM Decision Soon

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to name Sunetra Pawar, wife of late party chief Ajit Pawar, as its legislative party leader, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Bhujbal said party leaders had arrived at a consensus on the decision.
“It was decided among us that we will give Sunetra Pawar’s name as the legislative party leader,” he said.

Bhujbal added that a final call on the vacant post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister would be taken shortly. Earlier in the day, senior NCP leaders—including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Dhananjay Munde—met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the way forward following Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise.

“We met the Chief Minister last night as well as today. We asked whether everything—from the swearing-in ceremony to other formalities—could be done tomorrow. He said there was no problem,” Bhujbal said.

However, he noted that the party was also mindful of customary mourning periods following a death.
“When someone passes away, some observe three days of mourning, some ten. Tatkare and Praful Bhai are looking into it. Most likely, a decision will come in an hour or two,” he added.

Senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said Sunetra Pawar becoming Deputy Chief Minister would be a moment of pride for the party.
“If Sunetra Bhabhi is made Deputy Chief Minister, it will be a matter of great joy. The family will sit together after three or four days and take a decision,” he said.

Deshmukh also revealed that Ajit Pawar had been keen on reuniting the NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and himself. According to him, discussions with Sharad Pawar’s camp were at an advanced stage before the tragic accident.

“It was Ajit Dada’s heartfelt wish that both parties come together. Meetings had already taken place and the decision was finalised. Only the announcement remained,” Deshmukh said, adding that the merger was expected to be announced by mid-February.

Ajit Pawar, 66, died on Wednesday morning after a chartered aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. All five people on board, including two pilots, a flight attendant and his personal security officer, were killed in the crash.

(With inputs from ANI)