Sunetra Pawar Assumes Charge as Maharashtra Deputy CM, Emotional Tribute to Late Ajit Pawar

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s first female Deputy Chief Minister, Sunetra Pawar, formally took charge of her office on Tuesday at the Maharashtra Government Secretariat in Mumbai. Prior to assuming office, she visited the Siddhivinayak Temple and paid homage at Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Chaityabhoomi. During the ceremony, Pawar appeared deeply emotional, especially when she saw the chair and portraits of her late father-in-law, Ajit Pawar.

Emotional Transition at the Secretariat

Sunetra Pawar’s first day in office was marked by poignant moments. She became visibly moved while sitting in Ajit Pawar’s chair in the Secretariat. Ajit Pawar, a six-time Deputy CM of Maharashtra, tragically passed away in a chartered plane crash in Baramati on January 28, 2026. Sunetra Pawar had taken her oath as Deputy CM on January 31, four days after the accident.

Before taking her seat, she paid respects to Ajit Pawar’s memory by bowing to his chair and offering tribute at his office. Her son, Parth Pawar, and several senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were present and were also visibly moved. Tears flowed among those gathered as Sunetra Pawar honored the late leader.

Spiritual and Symbolic Visits

Before assuming official duties, Sunetra Pawar visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings and then proceeded to Chaityabhoomi to pay tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. She was presented with a copy of the Constitution and a ceremonial pen as a mark of respect. Following this, she assumed her responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister.

Sunetra Pawar also visited the NCP office in Mumbai to offer floral tributes to Ajit Pawar’s portrait. Prominent attendees included NCP acting national president Prafull Patel, Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare, Parth Pawar, former ministers Dhananjay Munde, Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, and Women’s Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, among others.

Maharashtra’s First Female Deputy CM

Sunetra Pawar is the 13th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the first woman to hold the position. Previously a Rajya Sabha MP, she is expected to contest the Baramati assembly seat, which became vacant following Ajit Pawar’s untimely death. Born in Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), Sunetra Pawar now carries the responsibility of continuing her father-in-law’s political legacy in the state.