Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy CM Amidst Emotional Ceremony

Mumbai: Sunetra Pawar, 62, was sworn in as the first woman deputy chief minister of Maharashtra on Saturday evening, replacing her husband Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in an air crash just three days prior. The ceremony was deeply emotional, with workers of Ajit’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) raising slogans of ‘Ajit Pawar Amar Rahe’ and ‘Ekach Vaada, Ajit Dada’ as she was being sworn in by state governor Acharya Devvrat.

In a sign that tensions still lingered within the larger Pawar family, Ajit Pawar’s uncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar stated he was not informed of the swearing-in. An hour after the ceremony, Sunetra was allocated all the portfolios held by her husband except the crucial finance portfolio, which is currently held by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sunetra will now oversee state excise, sports and youth welfare, minority development, and Aukaf.

The finance portfolio is part of NCP’s quota in the Mahayuti alliance, raising questions about whether the BJP will now take it over. However, BJP sources indicated that Fadnavis was temporarily holding the portfolio, and a final decision would be made after the budget session of the state legislature. The budget will be presented by Fadnavis.

NCP legislators are advocating for Sunetra to handle all roles previously held by Ajit. Since the state budget session is scheduled to take place in 20 days, NCP has requested CM Devendra Fadnavis to hold the finance portfolio. The decision was taken jointly, and Fadnavis will present the budget, a source confirmed. Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, will need to be elected as an MLA or MLC within six months. She is likely to contest the by-election to the Baramati assembly seat, which has become vacant following Ajit Pawar’s death.

Addressing criticism from some politicians about the “haste” in appointing Sunetra, senior party politician Anil Patil said, “It is the need of the moment. There was no choice.” NCP members emphasized the importance of conveying a message of stability, particularly as zilla parishad polls are approaching. NCP still needs to settle the question of who will replace Ajit as party chief. Several legislators have suggested that this responsibility should also go to Sunetra.

Earlier in the day, Sunetra was unanimously elected as head of the NCP legislature party and empowered to issue a whip and make decisions regarding the party’s work. She was elected by 45 of 48 NCP legislators who were present. State food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal moved both proposals, which were supported by senior politicians Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil, Sanjay Bansode, and Narhari Zirwal.