Sunetra Ajit Pawar Set to Become Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister

Sunetra Ajit Pawar will soon be appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a private jet crash on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The 62-year-old has received strong backing from senior leaders and party members within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to step into her husband’s role. She is expected to take the oath of office as early as Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The NCP legislature party is scheduled to convene in Mumbai to formally elect Sunetra as their leader. According to Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior NCP leader and state minister, the swearing-in ceremony will likely follow immediately after the election. Ajit Pawar served as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister and was responsible for the finance, excise, mines, and sports portfolios. He was also preparing to present his record 12th budget in February 2024, a responsibility that will now fall to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In the wake of Ajit’s passing, discussions surrounding the unification of the NCP’s two factions are intensifying. The late leader had been actively seeking to reconcile differences with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, and had aimed to formalize a reunion by December 12, 2025, coinciding with Sharad’s birthday. NCP leader Ankush Kakade highlighted Ajit’s desire to unite the factions as a tribute to his uncle, with plans for announcement after the February 5 zila parishad and panchayat elections in the state.

Ajit was on his way to Baramati for campaign activities related to these elections when the tragic accident occurred. All five individuals aboard the aircraft were killed, leading to an outpouring of grief within the political community. Insiders suggest that discussions regarding the party’s reunion are likely to progress swiftly, with a decision anticipated by February, aligning with Ajit’s vision.

As Sunetra prepares to assume leadership, she faces an upcoming byelection for the Maharashtra Assembly from Baramati, the constituency previously held by her husband. Her current role as a member of the Rajya Sabha marks her first term in politics. The leadership race within the party is expected to be competitive, featuring prominent figures such as Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Praful Patel.

In a poignant twist, the same individual who had previously divided the NCP by breaking away from Sharad in July 2023 may now play a pivotal role in reuniting the party following his untimely death. As Sunetra steps into this challenging role, the political landscape in Maharashtra is poised for significant changes in the coming months.