Sunetra Pawar Assumes Role Amid Family Legacy and Political Shifts
Sunetra Pawar, widow of the late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, took the oath as Maharashtra’s first female Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday. The 62-year-old, who recently stepped down from her Rajya Sabha seat, was sworn in by Governor Acharya Devvrat during a concise ceremony at Mumbai’s Lok Bhavan. Earlier that day, she secured election as the leader of the NCP’s state legislature party.
Ajit Pawar, who previously served as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalition, perished in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28.
Emotional Oath-Taking and Public Message
During the ceremony, supporters chanted ‘Ajit dada Amar Rahe’ as Sunetra Pawar stood to take her oath. Attendees included Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and NCP figures such as Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal. Her younger son, Jay Pawar, and his spouse also joined the event.
In a message shared on X, Sunetra Pawar reflected on her new responsibilities. She stated, ‘Respected Ajitdada has given the mantra of living one’s entire life for farmers, laborers, women, youth, and deprived sections. Today, carrying forward the legacy of their thoughts with unwavering loyalty to the principles of ‘Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar’, my heart is truly overflowing as I accept the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister position with a sense of duty. Though the untimely passing of Dada has caused a mountain of sorrow to crash upon my heart, the true support I have is the duty-bound commitment, the strength to struggle, and the bond with the people that he taught me. I will continue to work tirelessly and honestly to realize the just, equality-based, and developed Maharashtra of his dreams. In these difficult times, the love and support from the people of Maharashtra is my true strength. With the power of your trust, illuminating Dada’s ideals, I will keep moving forward with new hope.’
She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his encouragement.
Family and Party Reactions
Senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar commented that no prior discussions occurred regarding Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking. He acknowledged that leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare hold key positions in their faction and have the authority to chart the party’s direction.
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule visited Asha Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s mother, at her home in Katewadi Village. Sule explained her plans, saying, ‘Since the budget session is tomorrow, I am going to Delhi. I just met with Asha Kaki. I took her permission and asked if I should go to Delhi for the budget session. She said yes, it’s the country’s budget, and you should go there. I am the NCP’s floor leader, so my presence there is necessary.’ On queries about the oath-taking, she responded with ‘Ram Krishna Hari.’
Rohit Pawar, who aligned with Sharad Pawar’s group post-split, shared on X: ‘I am delighted that Hon. Sunetrakaku has taken the oath as the state’s first female Deputy Chief Minister. Truth be told, no one can truly take Hon. Ajitdada’s place, but at least in the form of Sunetrakaku, we can see Ajitdada there somehow..! With a mountain of grief weighing on our heads and all of us immersed in mourning, we don’t even know how to offer them congratulations..!’
Responses from National Leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: ‘Congratulations to Sunetra Pawar ji on beginning her tenure as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. I am confident that she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and will carry forward the dreams of the late Ajitdada Pawar.’
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added on X: ‘Warm wishes to Smt. Sunetra Pawar ji as she takes oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. I am confident, she will devote herself wholeheartedly to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra and carry forward the spirit of public service upheld by late Shri Ajit Pawar.’
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray remarked on X: ‘Maharashtra’s politics has undergone a complete upheaval in the recent past; honestly, one doesn’t even feel like commenting on it. But still, one will have to speak on the events unfolding throughout the day today. A party like the Nationalist Congress Party, which is truly rooted in Marathi soil, and its working president should be a proper Marathi person, a Patil perhaps, but not a Patel!’
Portfolio Assignments and Strategic Decisions
Sunetra Pawar inherits portfolios from her late husband, including state excise, sports and youth welfare, and minority development and Aukaf. Ajit Pawar previously managed finance, planning, and additional charges in those areas. Chief Minister Fadnavis retains finance and planning to maintain stability before the legislative session.
Officials note that Sunetra Pawar lacks prior administrative experience, making it prudent to delay assigning finance amid the impending budget presentation in early March. Much preparatory work for the budget remains complete under Ajit Pawar’s oversight, minimizing disruptions. This setup serves as a temporary measure, with expectations that finance and planning will revert to NCP post-budget per coalition agreements.
Political Background and Future Challenges
From a prominent political lineage, Sunetra Pawar entered the electoral fray in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, challenging Supriya Sule in Baramati— the Pawar family’s stronghold—following the 2023 NCP schism. After her defeat, she won a Rajya Sabha seat. Sources indicate she initially hesitated but accepted the role to uphold her husband’s vision as party head.
Currently unaffiliated with the state legislature, Sunetra Pawar must contest a by-election for the Baramati assembly seat within six months to retain her position.
NCP Merger Prospects
Sunetra Pawar confronts the task of unifying the NCP factions while navigating alliances with BJP and Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde. The anticipated merger looms large, with Ajit Pawar loyalists prioritizing her oath over immediate unification.
Sharad Pawar described reunification as Ajit Pawar’s longstanding desire, stating, ‘It was Ajit Dada’s wish that the two NCP factions should come together. We also desire that his wish be fulfilled…The talks were positive…Ajit Pawar wanted to announce the merger on February 12.’
The factions collaborated in recent Maharashtra civic elections, hinting at merger intentions. However, complexities arise from the Sharad Pawar group’s opposition ties to Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). Family decisions emphasize stabilizing the party first, with merger discussions to follow.
