Sunetra Pawar set to be first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar, is all set to become the first female Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

NCP plans to hold its Legislative Assembly Party meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2 pm to elect the new Legislative Party leader to replace Mr. Pawar. NCP top sources said a small swearing-in ceremony may take place next Hindu On Friday, January 30, 2026.

Political developments have accelerated in Maharashtra three days after the sudden death of NCP chief and the State’s Deputy CM, Mr. Pawar, in an air crash in Baramati. His wife is currently serving as the party’s MP in the Rajya Sabha.

unanimous decision

Senior NCP leader and State Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “No other name is out of the question. We all agree that Sunetra Pawar should put aside her pain and accept the Legislature Party leadership position. After that, we will inform the Prime Minister. And the swearing-in ceremony for the Deputy Chief Minister post will take place.” Hindu in Mumbai.

NCP State president Sunil Tatkare said, “We have called a meeting of our party leaders in the legislative assembly tomorrow at 2 pm. We expect him to stay there. We will talk to Sunetra.” revelation tonight. “Until now he was busy with religious rituals.” One leader said the decision on the national president was not a priority right now.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his BJP-led government will support NCP’s decision. “They met with me twice. Their party will make the final decision. We will support them in whatever decision they make,” he said.

NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde met Mr. Fadnavis for an hour-long meeting at his official bungalow early on Friday. “We want to take the decision to appoint the Legislative Assembly Party leader soon. There is no difference in the party’s view and public opinion on who should be our next leader. We want to take this decision at the earliest. Please give us some time to talk to Sunetra Pawar,” Mr. Patel said.

Ajit Pawar’s elder son Parth Pawar is expected to become a Rajya Sabha MP in place of his mother.

Reunion rumors

The NCP, meanwhile, appeared divided over speculations about the party’s reunion with the NCP SP, a group led by Pawar’s uncle and veteran politician Sharad Pawar.

Maharashtra Minister Narhari Zhirwal was among the NCP leaders who expressed their desire for immediate reunification of the two NCPs. “This was Ajit Dada’s last wish. Whenever he met me, he would say that he was uneasy that Saaheb had to go through this pain at his age. He wanted both parties to come together again,” senior NCP-SP leader Ankush Kakde said in Pune. A senior NCP leader close to the Pawar family in Baramati also said that the parties will reunite soon.

However, Mr. Bhujbal said he was unaware of any such suggestion or sentiment. “Our priority right now is to appoint the leader of the Parliamentary Party. We will do this as a party,” he said.

NCP sources hinted that the BJP should be consulted before any discussion on reunification. Sources close to the party’s senior leaders denied the possibility of a reunion. “There was a reason why Ajit Pawar left Sharad Pawar’s NCP. Those who left along with Ajit Pawar on July 2, 2023 are now our family. That family will take the decision. Reuniting of both parties is out of the question,” a senior leader said on condition of anonymity.