Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on Saturday as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, becoming the first woman to hold the post, three days after her husband Ajit Pawar’s death.
Her name was proposed by Chhagan Bhujbal and backed by 45 party leaders, including Dilip Walse Patil, at a meeting in the Legislative Building where she was elected the NCP legislature party leader.
Currently a Rajya Sabha MP, Pawar is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra Legislature and will be required to secure membership within six months.
Meanwhile, her son Parth Pawar is speculated to replace her in the Rajya Sabha after she assumes office. Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday morning (January 28, 2026), along with four others on board.
#WATCH | Mumbai: NCP leaders chant ‘Ajit dada amar rahe’ as Sunetra Pawar, leader of the NCP legislative party and wife of late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, takes oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra at the Lok Bhavan pic.twitter.com/RU1cUXTbld
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2026
(This is a breaking news story…)
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
