Sunetra Pawar Takes Oath, Becomes Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy CM
Sunetra Pawar Takes Oath, Becomes Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy CM
M.U.H
31/01/202621
Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar was on Saturday sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra at Lok Bhavan, creating history as the first woman to hold the post in the state.
Her elevation comes days after the sudden demise of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati.
As Sunetra Pawar took the oath of office, chants of “Ajit dada amar rahe" resonated across Lok Bhavan, in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his best wishes to Sunetra Pawar on assuming the Deputy CM’s office, saying that her work will fulfil the vision of Ajit Pawar.
“Best wishes to Sunetra Pawar Ji as she begins her tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the first woman to hold this responsibility. I am confident she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfil the vision of the late Ajitdada Pawar," said PM Modi in an X post.
While the specific cabinet portfolios to be allocated to Sunetra Pawar in the Mahayuti government are yet to be finalised, her late husband Ajit Pawar previously held around six key departments, including minority affairs, sports and excise.
Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NCP legislature party, clearing the way for her induction into the BJP-led Mahayuti government.
The proposal for her appointment was moved by senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and supported by other party veterans, reflecting a broad consensus within the party.
Her swearing-in marks a significant moment for the ruling alliance as it seeks to maintain stability following Ajit Pawar’s death, which left a major leadership vacuum in the government and the NCP.
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar stirred political speculation by claiming that talks were underway for a possible reunification of the two rival NCP factions, with February 12 being discussed as a tentative date.
