Behind NCP’s Sunetra Pawar Move 3 Days After Ajit Pawar’s Death
New Delhi : Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislature party in Maharashtra on Saturday. She is set to take oath later in the day as the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, marking a significant political moment amid an atmosphere of grief and transition. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s legislature wing held at the office of late Ajit Pawar on the ground floor of the Vidhan Bhavan complex in south Mumbai.
During the meeting, Sunetra Pawar paid floral tributes to a portrait of her late husband. Their younger son, Jay, was also present. Several ministers and legislators were visibly emotional, with many seen teary-eyed as they entered the Vidhan Bhavan complex. The Lok Bhavan has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony of Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister will be held at 5 pm in Mumbai. Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar had largely maintained a low public profile.
Her unanimous election as the legislature party leader and imminent elevation to the post of Deputy Chief Minister signal the party’s attempt to ensure continuity and stability following Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise, while also placing trust in her leadership at a critical juncture for Maharashtra’s politics. Speaking to the mediapersons here, Tatkare said, “Our legislature party members will meet at 2 pm today. The Group leader (Leader of the Legislative Party) will be elected. We hope that, keeping in mind the sentiments of people, Sunetra Pawar will be elected as the leader. After that, NCP members will meet the CM with an official letter, and then he will make a decision.”
He added that NCP MLAs, MPs, and leaders have collectively made a decision regarding Sunetra Pawar, and more details will be shared after today’s legislature party meeting. “Today, we saw a video showing the meeting, which took place over tea in Baramati during an agriculture exhibition. After this, Ajit Dada held a press conference and said that discussions were held regarding the local body elections. Ajit Dada himself noted the details of that day when the discussion took place and shared it with the journalists.
