Sunetra Pawar becomes Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy CM

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy CM after being unanimously elected NCP Legislature Party leader

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who tragically lost his life in a plane crash at Baramati, has scripted history by taking oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. The swearing‑in ceremony was conducted by Governor Acharya Devavrat in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

The brief ten‑minute event was marked by solemnity rather than celebration. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ministers, legislators, and workers raised emotional slogans such as ‘Long Live Ajit Pawar, Sunetra tai aage badho,’ reflecting both grief and support. Ajit Pawar’s younger son Jay was the only family member present, while NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar noted earlier in the day that his family had not been invited.

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Sunetra’s elevation followed her unanimous election as leader of the NCP Legislature Party during a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai. The session, chaired by state president Sunil Tatkare and attended by national working president Praful Patel, passed two resolutions: electing Sunetra as legislative party leader and authorizing her to take all decisions on behalf of the party. The proposals were moved by senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal and seconded by Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Narhari Zirwal, and Sanjay Bansode.

Following the meeting, Tatkare formally conveyed the decision to Chief Minister Fadnavis, who in turn recommended Sunetra’s induction to the Governor. With this appointment, Sunetra Pawar not only carries forward her late husband’s political legacy but also breaks new ground in Maharashtra’s political history.

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