Mumbai: In a significant political development following the death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday evening.
Ajit Pawar, who was serving as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a tragic plane crash in Baramati on January 28, along with four others. His sudden demise has reshaped political equations within the NCP and the state government.
Sunetra Pawar Steps In
According to NCP sources, Sunetra Pawar was initially reluctant to enter active politics following her husband’s death. However, party leaders said she eventually agreed, viewing it as her responsibility to carry forward Ajit Pawar’s political legacy and the party structure he had built over the years.
“When Ajit Pawar rebelled, he did so alone. Sunetra Pawar, as his wife, felt it was her duty to protect and continue the work he had devoted his life to. Even in deep personal grief, she believed she could not allow his vision to remain unfulfilled,” an NCP leader said.
Sources added that Sunetra Pawar agreed to take on the role with a “heavy heart”, convinced that her stepping aside could weaken the faction led by Ajit Pawar.
Swearing-In Ceremony
Sunetra Pawar will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister at 5 pm on Saturday at Lok Bhavan, becoming the first woman to hold the post in Maharashtra. Governor Acharya Devvrat, currently in Mussoorie, is expected to arrive in Mumbai at 4 pm to administer the oath.
Earlier in the day, the NCP legislature party met in Mumbai and unanimously named Sunetra Pawar as its leader. She also held consultations with senior party leaders after arriving from Baramati.
Sharad Pawar, founder of the NCP and leader of the Sharad Pawar (SP) faction, said there had been no discussions with Sunetra Pawar regarding her oath-taking. However, he noted that senior leaders such as Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare belonged to the Ajit Pawar-led faction and that it was their party’s prerogative to take decisions.
Merger Speculation Intensifies
Ajit Pawar’s death has renewed speculation about a possible reunification of the two NCP factions — one led by Ajit Pawar and the other by Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule. The split had occurred when Ajit Pawar broke away and joined the BJP–Shiv Sena-led government, while the SP faction remained in the Opposition alongside Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress.
Sharad Pawar said on Saturday that reunification had been a long-cherished wish of Ajit Pawar. “It was Ajit Dada’s desire that the two NCP factions come together. We too want to see that wish fulfilled. The discussions were positive, and he intended to announce the merger on February 12,” Sharad Pawar said.
Party sources indicated that Ajit Pawar’s family decided to prioritise organisational stability before entering merger talks. “The family felt it was important to first secure the party’s leadership and then move forward with discussions on reunification. That is why the oath-taking was prioritised,” a source said.
With Sunetra Pawar assuming office, attention is now expected to turn to the future of the NCP and the prospects of a formal merger between the rival factions in the coming weeks.
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