Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Deputy CM: Will NCP Get Finance Ministry? CM Fadnavis Responds

Mumbai: Following the tragic demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s 11th Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, becoming the first woman to hold the post. While she has been assigned key portfolios—including Excise, Sports, Minority Development, and Wakf—questions have emerged about whether the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will receive the Finance Ministry, previously held by Ajit Pawar.

Reacting to this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that he has retained the Finance and Planning Departments for himself. “Presently, the budget preparation is under way. It is not just a speech; it involves multiple departmental meetings. It was not feasible to hand such a significant responsibility to Sunetra Pawar immediately,” he said. Fadnavis added that a decision on the Finance Ministry will be taken after the Budget session.

Merger Talks and NCP Dynamics
Fadnavis also addressed questions on the possible merger of NCP factions. He stated that Ajit Pawar had not discussed any merger plans with him before his death. “If such talks were at an advanced stage, Ajit Pawar would have informed us. NCP is an independent party, but as a BJP ally, it is expected to consult us before taking any steps,” he said, setting a clear condition for any future merger.

Sharad Pawar’s faction had previously claimed that Ajit Pawar had set 12 February for a formal merger announcement, but the Deputy CM’s passing has introduced uncertainty. Fadnavis emphasized that any NCP decision should be communicated to the NDA first, ensuring no surprises in coalition dynamics.

The statement underlines the ongoing power recalibration within NCP following Ajit Pawar’s demise and the strategic role BJP expects to maintain in Maharashtra’s coalition politics.