Sunetra Pawar to Take Oath Today, Will Assume Deputy Chief Minister’s Responsibility

Mumbai: A significant political development is unfolding in Maharashtra’s MahaYuti government. Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is all set to assume the responsibilities of Deputy Chief Minister. She is expected to take her oath on Saturday evening, which will make her the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

Final Decision to Be Taken in Legislative Party Meeting
Earlier on Saturday, a meeting of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) legislative party was convened. Senior NCP leader and Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that the meeting of all legislators—including both MLAs and MLCs—will discuss the post of legislative party leader. “Many leaders believe this responsibility should go to Sunetra Pawar. I see nothing wrong with this. The final decision will be taken in the legislative party meeting,” Bhujbal said. He added that after the demise of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister’s post is vacant, and it is being seriously considered to fill it through Sunetra Pawar. If consensus is reached, the oath ceremony could take place the same day.

Meetings With CM Fadnavis
On Friday, senior NCP leaders including Praful Patel, state president and MP Sunil Tatkare, Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and party leader Dhananjay Munde met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for over an hour. During the meeting, CM Fadnavis was informed that Sunetra Pawar had been chosen as the leader of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) in the legislature, which currently has 41 MLAs.

Party Merger Talks Resurface
Meanwhile, discussions regarding the merger of the two NCP factions have resumed. Party leader Eknath Khadse noted that negotiations between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar had reached their final stages, which is why both factions had contested the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections together. Ajit Pawar had expressed his wish to merge the two factions, a fact confirmed by NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Rajesh Tope. However, Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash has complicated matters.

BJP Comments on Ajit Pawar’s Legacy
BJP Media In-Charge Navnath Ban stated that there is no doubt that the late Ajit Pawar will be exonerated of all allegations in the irrigation scam. “Justice will prevail, and he will be proven innocent,” he said. BJP had previously accused Ajit Pawar of corruption in the irrigation department and had opposed any alliance with NCP. Political dynamics shifted after the 2019 assembly elections, and in June 2023, Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led government as Deputy CM, breaking away from Sharad Pawar’s faction. Subsequently, Ajit Pawar assumed control over his faction of the NCP, while Sharad Pawar’s group became known as NCP (SP).

Sunil Tatkare’s Statement
Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said, “I have convened a legislative party meeting at 2 PM on Saturday with all MLAs and MPs present. We will discuss strategies with Sunetra Pawar, and the decision taken will then be sent to the Chief Minister for approval.”

CM Fadnavis Backs NCP Decision
Speaking to journalists in Nagpur, CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “We will fully support whatever decision the NCP takes. Whether it is Ajit Pawar’s family or the NCP as a party, we stand firmly with them as the government and as the BJP.”