Sunetra Pawar unanimously elected NCP national president
Sunetra, who was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister three days after Ajit Pawar’s death, delivered an emotional address at her first public appearance since the tragedy
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar was on Thursday unanimously elected national president of the Nationalist Congress Party at the party’s national conference, weeks after the death of her husband and senior leader Ajit Pawar in a flight crash on January 28.
Sunetra, who was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister three days after Ajit Pawar’s death, delivered an emotional address at her first public appearance since the tragedy. At times holding back tears, she said the party would not compromise on the ideals of Shiv, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar, which she said Ajit Pawar had steadfastly followed.
“Shiv, Shahu, Phule, Ambedkar ideology was always followed by Ajit Dada and he never compromised on it. We, too, are never going to compromise on it. We will never leave any section of the society behind and we will always walk together,” she said.
A resolution proposing her name was moved by NCP working president Praful Patel and seconded by state party chief Sunil Tatkare.
Accepting the post, Pawar said she was aware of the expectations resting on her shoulders. “I accept this responsibility with humility and dedication. We will work with unity, courage and commitment for a progressive and inclusive future of the nation,” she said.
Referring to her family and party colleagues, she added, “Not only Parth and Jay but the entire NCP is my family now. The love and affection with which he nurtured the party, I will put in more, not less, effort.”
Saying that the party was yet to overcome the grief of losing Ajit Pawar, Sunetra asserted that his vision would be carried forward and said, “It is impossible to fill the void created by his passing. But his dedication and discipline will be the strength of the party. His dream will not remain unfulfilled.”
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At the meeting, Praful Patel officially announced Sunetra Pawar’s son Parth Pawar as NCP candidate for the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections. Maharashtra has seven Rajya Sabha seats, out of which six will go to the ruling Mahayuti. With 40 MLAs, the NCP will be able to send one MP to the Rajya Sabha as it would require 37 first preference votes.
The meeting also saw veiled attacks on political rivals. Without naming anyone, Patel alleged that attempts were made to dictate terms to the party after Ajit Pawar’s death. “We all see the kind of politics played by others after his death. They tried to dictate how we should run our party. We know how to take the right decisions at the right time,” he said.
Tatkare recalled that after the 2004 Assembly election, when the NCP emerged as the single largest party, it chose to let Congress take the Chief minister’s post. “Had that not happened, Maharashtra would have got one of the best chief ministers,” he said.
Referring to political developments in 2014, Tatkare said that following the Assembly results, party founder Sharad Pawar had directed the NCP to extend outside support to the BJP. “Several incidents happened after that. When he finally decided to join the NDA in 2023, we all stood by him without compromising on our ideals,” Tatkare said, adding that the party was unfazed by trolling. “I have no hesitation in saying that the era of Sunetra has begun.”
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On the controversy surrounding the flight crash, Tatkare called for a detailed inquiry. While refraining from commenting on speculation about a merger between the two NCP factions, he criticised those scrutinising his meetings and warned detractors against revisiting past decisions.
State Minister Chhagan Bhujbal defended the swift decision to swear in Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister. “Some questioned the urgency of administering the oath within three days of Ajit Pawar’s death. But the same people had begun discussing a merger of the two parties on the very day he passed away,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was initially dismissed by critics, Bhujbal said, “History has shown what she went on to achieve. We are confident Sunetra Pawar will also prove herself.”
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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