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

Sunetra Pawar is set to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister amid ongoing discussions about NCP leadership and reunification.

Sunetra Pawar, wife of the deceased Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar, is likely to become the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The NCP plans to hold its Legislature Party meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday (January 31, 2026) to choose its new Legislature Party leader to replace Mr. Pawar. A small swearing-in ceremony is likely to happen after that.

Political developments speeded up in Maharashtra on Friday, three days after the sudden death of Mr. Pawar, the NCP supremo and the State’s Deputy CM, in an air crash at Baramati. His wife is currently the party’s sitting Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.

“There is no question of any other name. We are all unanimous that Sunetra Pawar will have to keep aside her grief and accept the position of Legislature Party leader. We will inform the Chief Minister thereafter. And the swearing-in ceremony for the position of the Deputy Chief Minister will take place,” Chhagan Bhujbal, senior NCP leader and State Cabinet Minister told The Hindu in Mumbai.

NCP State president Sunil Tatkare said, “We have called a meeting of our legislature party leaders tomorrow at 2 p.m. We expect that she will remain present. We are going to speak with Sunetra vahini tonight. She has been busy with the religious rituals so far.” The decision on the national president is not the priority at present, a leader said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his BJP-led government would support the NCP’s decision. “They held a meeting with me twice. The final decision will be taken by their party. We will support them in whatever decision they take,” he said.