Sunetra Pawar Chosen as NCP Legislative Party Leader, Set to Take Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has moved swiftly to fill the political vacuum left by Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash earlier this week, naming Sunetra Pawar as its Legislative Party Leader and the party’s nominee for Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

A sitting Rajya Sabha MP and Ajit Pawar’s widow, Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath later today, after formally resigning from her Upper House seat.

The decision was taken at a meeting of senior NCP leaders at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, attended by party working president Praful Patel, state president Sunil Tatkare, and other key legislators. Following the meeting, the party will submit an official letter to the Chief Minister, clearing the way for her appointment.

Tatkare said the choice reflected both political consensus and public sentiment. “Keeping in mind the feelings of the people, we hope Sunetra Pawar will be elected as the leader,” he told reporters, adding that NCP MLAs, MPs, and senior leaders were united behind the decision.

Beyond politics, Sunetra Pawar is known for her work in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment. In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), leading grassroots initiatives on biodiversity protection, water management, drought mitigation, and eco-conscious community building.

Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal welcomed the move, calling it a “good decision” and saying it reflected the wishes of party workers and the public in the wake of Ajit Pawar’s untimely death.

With the legislature party meeting set for later today, Sunetra Pawar’s elevation marks not just a change in office but a carefully calibrated moment of political continuity for the NCP and the state.

(With inputs from ANI)