Sunetra Pawar to Take Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM Today: NCP

Nationalist Congress Party MP Sunetra Pawar, widow of late leader Ajit Pawar, is set to take oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, NCP spokesperson Rupali Patil Thombare confirmed.

Speaking to ANI, Thombare said the party leadership had urged Sunetra Pawar to step forward at a critical moment, stressing that political timing often shapes leadership decisions.

“Ajit Dada’s death was extremely shocking. Sunetra Vahini is grieving far more than all of us—she lost her husband suddenly. This is only the fourth day since his passing,” Thombare said. “But party workers requested her to rise above personal pain and carry forward Ajit Dada’s dreams and work culture. For that reason, she has taken this decision today.”

Emphasising the urgency, Thombare added, “Timing is very important in politics. People will talk. Those praising him today were the same ones criticising him when he was alive. Sunetra Vahini will take oath as Deputy CM today.”

Ajit Pawar, 66, died in a tragic plane crash on January 28, leaving the Deputy Chief Minister’s post vacant and triggering swift political consultations within the NCP and the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Later today, NCP legislators from both the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council are scheduled to meet in Mumbai to formally ratify leadership decisions.

The development follows senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s statement that the party has unanimously decided to name Sunetra Pawar as its legislative party leader.

“It was decided among us that we will give Sunetra Pawar’s name as legislative party leader,” Bhujbal told reporters, adding that senior leaders had discussed the swearing-in schedule with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who raised no objections.

However, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar said he was unaware of Sunetra Pawar’s name being finalised for the Deputy CM post.

“I have no information about it. Her party must have decided. What I saw in newspapers is that leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare have taken the initiative to decide on vacant posts,” Sharad Pawar said in Baramati.

Responding to questions about the speed of political decisions so soon after Ajit Pawar’s death, Sharad Pawar suggested the discussions were taking place within the Mahayuti leadership in Mumbai.

“If there is a problem in the family, the family stands together. There are no issues in the family. These discussions are happening in Mumbai, not here. I will not comment further,” he said, adding that the scheduled NCP meeting was an internal party matter.

(With inputs from ANI)