Sunetra Pawar Sworn In as Maharashtra’s First Woman Deputy CM, Days After Ajit Pawar’s Death

Sunetra Pawar, 62, was sworn in as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister on Saturday, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the state’s history, amid tragic circumstances following the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash on January 28.

The oath of office was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, both allies of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sunetra Pawar.

Supporters of the NCP raised slogans such as “Ajit dada amar rahe” and “Vahini saheb aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain” after the ceremony, expressing solidarity with the new deputy chief minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings on X, wishing Sunetra Pawar success in her new role and expressing confidence that she would work for the welfare of Maharashtra while carrying forward the vision of the late Ajit Pawar.

Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar maintained a low political profile. She contested the Baramati seat that year but lost to her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule of the NCP (SP), in a high-profile contest. She was later elected to the Rajya Sabha.

The daughter of former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, Sunetra Pawar has been associated with social work and the cooperative sector. She holds a postgraduate degree in biochemistry.

Ahead of the swearing-in, the NCP submitted a letter to Chief Minister Fadnavis confirming her election as the party’s legislature leader. Senior party leaders, including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal, met the chief minister at his official residence, Varsha, and handed over the letter, which was subsequently forwarded to the governor.