Sunetra Pawar Oath Ceremony Live Updates: ‘Heart heavy but will continue to work with unwavering honesty’: Dy CM’s 1st statement after swearing-in

With the swearing in of Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra’s 13th Deputy Chief Minister and the first woman to hold the post, attention has again turned to a position that has no place in the Constitution but plays a major role in the state’s politics. Formally, a Deputy Chief Minister is only a Cabinet minister with an additional title. In practice, in Maharashtra’s coalition-driven and faction-heavy politics, the post has become a key tool for sharing power, managing alliances and signalling political weight within the government.

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In her first reaction after taking oath, Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar issued a statement saying, "Respected Ajitdada dedicated his life to the service of farmers, laborers, women, youth, and the underprivileged. Today, as I carry forward his ideological legacy and assume the responsibility of Deputy Chief Minister with a sense of duty and faith in the values of ‘Shiva-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar,’ my heart is truly overwhelmed. While Dada’s untimely passing has brought an immense mountain of grief, the commitment to duty, the strength to struggle, and the dedication to the people that he taught me remain my true pillars of support. I will continue to work with unwavering honesty to build the just, egalitarian, and developed Maharashtra of his dreams. In this difficult moment, the love and support shown by the people of Maharashtra is my greatest strength. Empowered by your trust and guided by Dada's vision, I shall continue to move forward with new hope."

Glimpses from the swearing-in ceremony of Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy CM, in Mumbai, on Saturday. (Express photos by Akash Patil)

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Saturday met Ajit Pawar's mother at the late leader's Katewadi residence in Pune's Baramati area, the visit coming amid preparations in Mumbai for the appointment of Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra's first woman deputy chief minister.

Sule met the deceased leader's mother Asha Pawar, fondly called 'Asha kaki'.

Speaking to reporters after leaving the residence, Sule said, "I had come to meet Kaki. I will be leaving for Delhi from Pune for the Budget Session of Parliament." — PTI

Sunetra Pawar, leader of the NCP legislative party and wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, reaches Lok Bhavan for her swearing-in ceremony as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. — ANI

The meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Legislative Party members held at Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai, on Saturday, at 2 PM took place in the presence of National Working President and Member of Parliament, Praful Patel, and was presided over by Sunil Tatkare, Member of Parliament and State President of the Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtra.

Two resolutions were passed during this meeting:

*To unanimously elect Sunetra Ajitdada Pawar as the Leader of the Maharashtra Legislative Party.To authorize Sunetra *Ajitdada Pawar to make all decisions regarding the NCP Legislative Party.

After electing Sunetra Pawar as the Legislative party leader, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare, Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel and senior ministers are going to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after having the resolution passed.