Sunetra Pawar takes oath as Maharashtra's first woman deputy Chief Minister

Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, hours after being unanimously elected as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislature party , following the death of her husband and former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash.

The oath of office was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai , in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde , and senior leaders of the Mahayuti alliance , including representatives of the BJP and Shiv Sena.

Sunetra Pawar’s name was proposed by senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil and seconded by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal during a meeting of the party’s legislature wing held at Ajit Pawar’s office in the Vidhan Bhavan complex . The decision was taken unanimously , reflecting consensus within the party after the sudden leadership vacuum.

Before the meeting began, Sunetra Pawar paid floral tributes to a portrait of her late husband. Their younger son Jay Pawar was also present. Several ministers and legislators were visibly emotional as they gathered at the Vidhan Bhavan complex.

Ajit Pawar, who served as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28 along with four others.

Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections , Sunetra Pawar had largely remained away from active politics, maintaining a low public profile. She entered electoral politics when she contested from Baramati as the NCP candidate but lost to her sister-in-law and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule in a high-profile contest. She was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha , marking her formal entry into parliamentary politics.

Party leaders said she has long been associated with social, educational and cooperative initiatives in Baramati and has worked closely with Ajit Pawar on development programmes and welfare activities in the region.

In her address to party legislators after taking oath, Sunetra Pawar said she would work to uphold Ajit Pawar’s legacy and ensure stability in governance.

“I will dedicate myself to continuing the development agenda envisioned by Ajit Pawar and work collectively for the progress of Maharashtra,” she said. She also appealed for unity within the party and close coordination with alliance partners.

Senior NCP leaders said the party’s immediate focus will be on ensuring continuity in governance and retaining key portfolios previously held by Ajit Pawar, particularly finance and development-related departments . The party also plans to strengthen its organisational structure ahead of upcoming local body and Assembly elections .

“The transition has been smooth and our priority is stable governance and coordinated functioning within the Mahayuti alliance,” a senior NCP functionary said.

Leaders of the BJP and Shiv Sena extended full support to Sunetra Pawar’s appointment. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the alliance stood united and expressed confidence that she would provide stable and decisive leadership .

Shiv Sena leaders also conveyed condolences to the Pawar family and welcomed her induction into the state cabinet.

The succession process was initiated by NCP’s senior leadership after consultations with party legislators and office-bearers. With no formal deputy leader designated earlier, the party opted for consensus to avoid internal divisions and project unity.

Party sources said Sunetra Pawar will now assume Ajit Pawar’s responsibilities as legislature party leader , while organisational matters will continue to be handled collectively by senior ministers until further appointments are made.

With her swearing-in, Sunetra Pawar has become Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister , marking a historic moment for the state and a major transition for the NCP and the ruling alliance.