Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Sunetra Pawar Sworn in as Maharashtra's First Woman Dy CM
Sunetra Pawar, a 62-year-old leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister.
She took the oath on Saturday, replacing her late husband, Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash earlier this week.
Sunetra Pawar is not currently a member of the state's Assembly or Legislative Council, so she must get elected to either within six months.
She was recently elected as the leader of the legislative party of the NCP faction that her husband led.
There is some confusion about the merger of the two NCP factions, with Sharad Pawar, the party founder, claiming he was unaware of the decision, while other leaders say a merger was planned.
The merger talks, which were progressing positively, may now face a roadblock due to Ajit Pawar's death.
The decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister was taken internally within the party, with Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare playing key roles.
Sunetra Pawar, 62, took oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday.
She replaces her late husband, Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday.
Sunetra Pawar is not a member of the state's Assembly or Legislative Council and must get elected within six months.
She was elected as the leader of the legislative party of the NCP faction led by her late husband.
There is confusion about the merger of the two NCP factions, with Sharad Pawar claiming he was unaware of the decision, while other leaders say a merger was planned.
- Who
- Sunetra Pawar, Rajya Sabha MP and leader of the NCP faction led by her late husband Ajit Pawar.
- What
- Sunetra Pawar took oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, replacing her late husband Ajit Pawar.
- When
- Saturday.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- To fill the vacancy left by her late husband, Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash.
NCP (SP) Faction
Sharad Pawar's Faction
Merger of NCP Factions
NCP (SP) Faction
The merger of the two NCP factions was progressing positively and was Ajit Pawar's wish. Discussions were held, and a formal announcement was planned for February 12.
Sharad Pawar's Faction
Sharad Pawar claims he was unaware of the decision to announce the merger and that the process may hit a roadblock following Ajit Pawar's death.
Sunetra Pawar's Elevation
NCP (SP) Faction
Questions the motive behind the rush to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister, suggesting it was decided internally within the party.
Sharad Pawar's Faction
Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare took the initiative to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister, hinting at internal party decisions.
- Name
- Sunetra Pawar
- Position
- Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Age
- 62
- Party
- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
- Current Status
- Not a member of the state's Assembly or Legislative Council
- Election Deadline
- Must get elected within six months
- Previous Role
- Rajya Sabha MP
- Date of Oath
- Saturday
- Merger Talks
- Discussions for reunification of NCP factions were ongoing, with a planned announcement on February 12
- Sharad Pawar's Stance
- Claims he was unaware of the merger decision and Sunetra Pawar's elevation
Sources
Sunetra sworn in first Maha woman Dy CM
Wife gets Ajit post, sparks rift within Pawar family: BJP 'hand' behind rushed induction - Telegraph India
Differing views in NCP on merger talks surface
"Don't See That Happening": Piyush Goyal On Merger Of NCP Factions
NCP merger still on after Ajit Pawar's death? Sharad Pawar's bombshell claim, Sunetra Pawar's elevation—the saga so far
Maharashtra: Sunetra Pawar given excise and sports portfolios, Devendra Fadnavis gets finance
Sunetra Pawar’s oath decision made without Sharad Pawar’s knowledge: NCP (SP) leader
Ajit Pawar Plane Tragedy: Rohit Pawar Visits Family Of Crew Attendant Pinky Mali In Mumbai Killed In Baramati Crash Ajit Pawar Plane Tragedy: Rohit Pawar Meets Crew Attendant Pinky Mali's Grieving Fam
Fadnavis to present budget, take a final call on finance portfolio after budget session
Pawar heads to Mumbai; Sunetra in Baramati amid merger buzz
Crash Site Cleared In Baramati As Wreckage From Ajit Pawar Plane Tragedy Sent For Examination
Ajit Pawar’s death: Fadnavis to skip ZP, Panchayat Samiti poll campaign
Uncertainty Over NCP Merger: Sharad Pawar Heads to Mumbai; Sunetra Pawar Returns to Baramati
‘Baseless, Lacks Truth’: Praful Patel Denies Claims Of Being Appointed NCP National President After Ajit Pawar’s Death
'Misleading Information': Piyush Goyal Issues Clarification On NCP Leadership Gaffe
‘Totally baseless’: Praful Patel denies reports about his appointment as NCP president after Ajit Pawar’s death
Would Ajit Pawar seal NCP merger without informing BJP? asks Fadnavis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Says Ajit Pawar Would Have Shared NCP Merger Talks, Denies Knowledge Of February 12 Plan
‘Ajit Pawar was stable in Mahayuti’: Fadnavis rejects Sharad Pawar faction’s claims about NCP reunification
Was Ajit preparing to quit the NDA?: Fadnavis on NCP merger
“No objection to Parth Pawar”: Maharashtra CM a day after Sunetra Pawar’s oath
With NDA to carry forward Ajit Pawar’s ideology: NCP
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Rejects Sharad Pawar’s Claim On NCP Reunification Talks, Stresses BJP Consultation Essential
‘We are with the NDA’: NCP's Sunil Tatkare makes big remark amid merger speculation, cites decision taken by Ajit Pawar
Who will replace Sunetra Pawar in Rajya Sabha after her elevation as deputy CM
Fadnavis Dismisses NCP Merger Talk
As merger gets stalled, Tatkare says NCP will remain firmly with NDA
Praful Patel Says NCP Chief Appointment Reports ‘Baseless’
Speculation Over NCP National President Intensifies; Praful Patel, Piyush Goyal Deny Claims
