Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as First Woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Amid chants of “Ajit Dada amar rahe,” Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, stepping into office at a moment shaped as much by grief as by transition.
The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. With her induction, Sunetra Pawar becomes the first woman Deputy Chief Minister in the state’s history.
Her elevation follows the death of Ajit Pawar, her husband and the former Deputy CM, who was killed in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28. The post had remained vacant since the tragedy, leaving both the government and the Nationalist Congress Party navigating a delicate moment of succession.
Senior NCP leaders, including Sunil Tatkare, Praful Patel, and Chhagan Bhujbal, were present at the ceremony as party workers raised slogans honouring Ajit Pawar’s legacy. Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar had been unanimously elected Leader of the NCP Legislative Party, paving the way for her formal appointment after consultations with the Chief Minister.
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Beyond her political lineage, Sunetra Pawar brings a distinct public profile. A Rajya Sabha MP, she is widely known for her work in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment. In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), leading grassroots campaigns on biodiversity protection, water management, drought mitigation, and community-led conservation.
Welcoming her appointment, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said the decision reflected public sentiment and the will of party legislators. “Under the circumstances, Sunetra Tai should indeed be the Leader of the Legislative Party and Deputy CM,” he said.
As Maharashtra watches a new chapter unfold, Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in marks both a historic first for the state—and a continuation of a political legacy shaped by loss, responsibility, and expectation.
(With inputs from ANI)