Sunetra Pawar, wife of Late Ajit Pawar, to take oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM
Mumbai (Maharashtra), January 31, 2026 (ANI):In a major political development in Maharashtra, NCP Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, widow of late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, has been chosen as the Nationalist Congress Party’s Legislative Party Leader and is set to assume the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
The Deputy CM’s position fell vacant following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday in Baramati. Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to take the oath as Deputy Chief Minister later today. To take up the executive post, she will resign from her Rajya Sabha membership.
Senior NCP leaders, including Party Working President Praful Patel and Maharashtra State President Sunil Tatkare, met at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai and formally proposed Sunetra Pawar’s name for the leadership role.
Ahead of the legislature party meeting, Sunil Tatkare said that party MLAs were expected to unanimously elect Sunetra Pawar as the Legislative Party Leader, keeping in mind public sentiment and the current political situation. Following the meeting, NCP leaders are set to submit an official letter to the Chief Minister for final approval.
Sunetra Pawar is widely known for her work in sustainable development, environmental protection and rural empowerment. A Rajya Sabha MP, she has played a key role in promoting inclusive growth and environmental awareness. In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), an NGO focused on biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species, water management and drought mitigation through grassroots initiatives.
Speaking to the media, Tatkare said the decision regarding Sunetra Pawar was taken collectively by NCP MLAs, MPs and senior leaders, and further details would be shared after the legislature party meeting.
Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal also welcomed the move, calling it a good decision that reflects the wishes of the people following the sudden loss of Ajit Pawar.