Sunetra Pawar Set To Succeed Husband Ajit Pawar As Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, To Take Oath Today

Mumbai: After the sudden demise of NCP chief Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar has emerged as a strong contender to succeed him. According to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) sources, Sunetra Pawar is set to take oath as the deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday at 5 pm.  As per information, the Senior NCP leaders have already discussed her appointment, with sources indicating it's almost certain. 

Sources claimed that she accepted the proposal from NCP MLAs, with party leader Chhagan Bhujbal confirming the development. Sunetra, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, will be the first woman to hold this post in the state. The NCP's legislature party meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 2 pm, where Sunetra will be formally elected as the party's leader. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed no objections to the oath-taking ceremony happening on Saturday, provided the party finalises the decision.

NCP high-level meeting

All of the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) representatives in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council will gather at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Saturday at 2:00 PM. In the notice of meeting signed by the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Nationalist Congress Party, Sunil Tatkare, on Friday, all members of the Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council are called upon for the meeting. 

Meanwhile, ahead of the NCP legislative party meeting scheduled for this afternoon, Sunetra Pawar arrived in Mumbai. She reached Devgiri Bungalow, the government residence allotted to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a short while ago.

Possible reunion?

Meanwhile, there is speculation about a possible reunion between the two NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar's group. Sources indicated that talks were already underway before Ajit Pawar's tragic death, with some leaders believing it was his last wish for the party to reunite. The Sharad Pawar faction is pushing for a quick merger, while some leaders in Ajit Pawar's camp want Sunetra to strengthen her hold on the party first

The NCP has been facing internal strife, with recent electoral setbacks and disagreements between the two factions. However, with Ajit Pawar's passing, there is a renewed push for unity, with BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik calling for the factions to come together. "She could work effectively," Mahadik said, referring to Sunetra Pawar's potential as Deputy Chief Minister, citing her experience as a Rajya Sabha member.

The party's senior leaders suggested that Sunetra Pawar's appointment would be a major development in Maharashtra politics, with the NCP looking to consolidate its position in the state government.

Notably, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, had lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramati against Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, but gained statewide visibility. Her entry into politics was facilitated by her husband, Ajit Pawar, who helped her secure a Rajya Sabha seat.

Senior NCP leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, reportedly lasting around 1.5 hours. The meeting was to discuss Sunetra Pawar's appointment and the party's future. According to sources, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar had reached an understanding on merging the party factions, with February 8 tentatively set for a formal announcement. However, Ajit Pawar's tragic death has put these plans on hold.

Sunetra Pawar's Political Background

Born on October 18, 1963, Sunetra Pawar comes from a political family, with her father, Padamsinh Patil, being a state minister and Lok Sabha MP. She is currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, representing Maharashtra for the NCP. Before entering politics, Sunetra focused on social initiatives, particularly environmental conservation and rural development. 

She founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI) and serves as chairperson of the Baramati Textile Company, which employs thousands of rural women. Her philanthropic work has earned her recognition, and she is also a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution serving tens of thousands of students.

Sunetra Pawar entered politics in the year 2024, during the Lok Sabha elections, when she contested as the NCP candidate against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule. Although her electoral run was unsuccessful as she lost against Supriya Sule, the election showcased her growing influence in politics. She has been a Rajya Sabha MP since June 2024, focusing on environmental conservation and rural development.

The sudden demise of Ajit Pawar has thrust Sunetra into the spotlight, with NCP leaders rallying behind her as a successor. The party leaders believed that she was the best fit to carry forward Ajit Pawar's legacy and maintain party unity.

Will NCP And NCP (SP) Merge?

The possible merger of the NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) is gaining momentum, with Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, being touted as a possible leader. The two factions had reportedly been in talks to reunite, and Ajit Pawar's sudden demise has accelerated the process. Senior NCP leaders, including Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, are backing Sunetra Pawar for the top spot, citing her ability to unify the party.

The Sharad Pawar-led faction is also open to the merger, with leaders like Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde confirming that talks were underway before Ajit Pawar's death. The reunification would likely see Sunetra Pawar take on a key role as Deputy Chief Minister, and Praful Patel as the working president. The NCP has also called a meeting of its legislative party to elect Sunetra Pawar as the leader.

However, some leaders within the Ajit Pawar-led faction are hesitant about an immediate merger, citing concerns about power-sharing and leadership. They want Sunetra Pawar to strengthen her hold on the party before considering a merger. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar's faction is pushing for a quick reunification, emphasising that it was Ajit Pawar's last wish.

According to political analysts, the merger would alter Maharashtra's politics, reshaping alliances and power dynamics. The NCP, with Sunetra Pawar at the helm, could regain its footing and influence in state politics.