Sunetra Pawar to Take Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM After Ajit Pawar’s Death

Sunetra Pawar is set to take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday evening at 5 pm, marking her formal entry into the state’s top executive leadership. Sources said she has accepted the proposal for elevation and will continue to hold the Excise and Sports portfolios in the state government.

Her appointment comes at a politically sensitive moment, following the death of her husband and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar, who passed away earlier this week in a tragic aircraft accident. The development signals continuity in governance and party leadership amid a period of mourning and transition.

According to sources within the Nationalist Congress Party, the decision to elevate Sunetra Pawar was taken after consultations among senior party leaders. The move is also seen as strategically important ahead of the Pune Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for February 7, where party cohesion and leadership clarity are expected to play a crucial role.

Sources said discussions were held within the Pawar family following the proposal. After deliberations, Sunetra Pawar agreed to take on the responsibility of Deputy Chief Minister. Her oath-taking ceremony will formally place her alongside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state’s executive leadership.

Party insiders also indicated that while Sunetra Pawar will assume the Deputy CM’s role immediately, the Finance portfolio will remain temporarily with Fadnavis as the Budget Session is scheduled for March. The portfolio is expected to be handed over to the NCP at a later stage, following the completion of budgetary processes.

Earlier in the day, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters that the Chief Minister had conveyed there would be no issue if Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking ceremony took place on Saturday itself. This paved the way for a swift transition at the top level of the state government.

The political development follows the death of Ajit Pawar, 66, who was killed when a chartered aircraft crash-landed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The aircraft came down near the runway threshold, resulting in the deaths of all five people on board, including Pawar’s personal security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots.

Ajit Pawar’s last rites were conducted with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati on Thursday. His sons performed the final rituals, while leaders from across the political spectrum gathered to pay their respects. Among those present were Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and actor Riteish Deshmukh.

Sunetra Pawar’s elevation is being viewed as both a tribute to Ajit Pawar’s political legacy and a step towards stabilising the party and government during a challenging period. Her role as Deputy Chief Minister is expected to carry significant political weight in the weeks ahead, particularly as Maharashtra heads into crucial local body elections.