Sunetra Pawar Sworn In As Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister

Ms Pawar has been assigned the portfolios of State Excise Duty, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minorities Development and Auqaf. However, the Chief Minister has not made any recommendations in connection with the finance department, which was with late Ajit Pawar. It seems that Mr. Fadnavis will keep it with himself at least till the budget, which is scheduled to be tabled in March 2026.

Three days after Ajit Pawar’s death in an aircraft crash in Baramati, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare convened a meeting of the party’s MLAs and MLCs at the Maharashtra State Legislature on Saturday afternoon. The meeting was attended by NCP national working president Praful Patel.

At the meeting, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal proposed Sunetra Pawar’s name as leader of the NCP Legislature Party. The proposal was seconded by Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Narhari Zirwal and Sanjay Bansode, following which she was unanimously elected. The Legislature Party also passed a resolution vesting her with full authority over legislative affairs.

Subsequently, a delegation led by Tatkare met Chief Minister Fadnavis and submitted the resolution. Sunetra Pawar later visited Devgiri bungalow, the official residence of the late Deputy Chief Minister, where she paid tribute to Ajit Pawar before proceeding to Raj Bhavan. The oath-taking ceremony was held in a subdued manner, without floral decorations.

Amid slogans of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe”, Sunetra Pawar took the oath of office. Supporters later raised slogans hailing Ajit Pawar and urging her to lead the party forward.

After the ceremony, Chief Minister Fadnavis, in a post on X, said the circumstances were difficult but praised Sunetra Pawar’s decision, describing it as courageous and in the interest of Maharashtra. “The way Sunetra “Vahini” took a decision in the interest of Maharashtra with dignity and courage is commendable, bold, and reflects her strong commitment. This is not an occasion for offering congratulations…However, I am confident that she will carry forward Ajit Dada’s legacy with strength and capability. The state has received its first woman Deputy Chief Minister, and her tenure will be successful. As the BJP and the Mahayuti government, we stand firmly with the family of Ajit Dada Pawar during this difficult time,” the CM said.

Congratulating her, Bhujbal said he hoped Maharashtra would one day have a woman Chief Minister. Responding to criticism over the haste, he said the three-day state mourning period had ended and governance could not be delayed further. “Once she takes charge, the discussion will stop,” he said.

Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif welcomed the move and, commenting on Sharad Pawar’s absence, said the NCP founder had himself clarified that the two pirates (NCP factions) are independent.

Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar said the appointment of Sunetra Pawar as Legislature Party leader was a decision taken solely by the Ajit Pawar faction and that no discussions had been held with him. Supriya Sule said she was unaware of the swearing-in and was leaving for Delhi for the Budget Session of Parliament.

Political observers say the urgency reflects resistance within the Ajit Pawar faction to any merger with the Sharad Pawar group. NCP leaders currently in power fear a merger could shift control of the party back to Sharad Pawar and jeopardise their positions within the party, ministerial berths and political authority.