Sunetra Pawar to Take Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM on Saturday: Sources

Two days after the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, is set to assume key leadership roles in the state, including the deputy chief minister’s post and the reins of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Sources said Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, is likely to take oath as deputy chief minister on Saturday. The development comes amid discussions within the NCP about giving her a larger political role following Ajit Pawar’s passing.

A meeting of the NCP legislature party has been scheduled for Saturday, during which Sunetra is expected to be named as its leader. Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said the meeting of NCP MLAs will take place at 2 pm.

While the NCP is expected to retain two of Ajit Pawar’s ministerial portfolios, the Finance Ministry is likely to go to the BJP. Sources said Sunetra Pawar may be given the Excise and Sports portfolios, while the Finance portfolio could be taken over by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

NCP legislature party meeting

Speaking to reporters, Chhagan Bhujbal said Chief Minister Fadnavis has indicated he has no objection to Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in as deputy CM on Saturday.

“The NCP legislature party meeting will be held on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar will be named as its leader. Many leaders want her to become the deputy chief minister,” Bhujbal said.

Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha MP and is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature. However, the Baramati Assembly seat has fallen vacant following Ajit Pawar’s death.

Bhujbal added that the final decision on the deputy CM post will be taken at the legislature party meeting. He also said senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare are reviewing procedural matters, including the mourning period and other formalities.

“Sometimes the mourning period is three days, sometimes ten days. They are looking into all these details,” Bhujbal said.