Sunetra Pawar sworn in as first woman Dy CM of Maharashtra
The 63-year-old Rajya Sabha MP largely remained away from active politics until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when she contested from Baramati but lost to her sister-in-law and incumbent NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule.
Sunetra Pawar takes oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister. (Express Photos/Akash Patil)
Three days after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near the Baramati airport, his wife Sunetra Pawar succeeded him at the forefront of the ruling Mahayuti alliance and was sworn in Saturday as the state’s first woman Deputy CM.
The oath of office was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the other Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Leaders of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP, including Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, did not attend the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected leader of the NCP Legislative Party.
By evening, the Governor approved the allocation of portfolios, with the key Finance and Planning departments, which were held by Ajit Pawar, allocated to Fadnavis. Sunetra Pawar was given three relatively low-profile portfolios: State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Auqaf — all held earlier by Ajit Pawar.
In a statement issued after the ceremony, Sunetra Pawar said, “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.”
The statement said, “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.”
It said, “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.”
The oath-taking ceremony was solemn and brief, lasting about 10 minutes, although the NCP ministers, legislators and workers present raised slogans of “Long live Ajit Pawar” and “Sunetra tai aage badho”.
Those present included Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and senior officials.
From the Pawar family, only Sunetra Pawar’s younger son, Jay Pawar, was present. Earlier in the day, Sharad Pawar said the family had not received an invitation to the ceremony. No elected representative of the NCP-SP attended the event.
NCP-SP legislator Rohit Pawar posted on X, “I am delighted that Hon. Sunetrabai has taken the oath as the state’s first female Deputy Chief Minister. Truth be told, no one can truly take Hon. Ajitdada’s place, but at least in the form of Sunetrabai, we can see Ajitdada there somehow..! With a mountain of grief weighing on our heads and all of us immersed in mourning, we don’t even know how to offer them congratulations..!”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his “best wishes” to Sunetra Pawar. Taking to X, he wrote: “I am confident she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfil the vision of the late Ajitdada Pawar.”
The NCP meeting held earlier was attended by the party’s National Working President and MP Praful Patel and chaired by state party chief Sunil Tatkare. Two resolutions were passed: elect Sunetra Pawar as leader of the Maharashtra Legislative Party and authorise her to take decisions on its behalf.
The resolutions were moved by Chhagan Bhujbal and seconded by other party leaders Hasan Mushrif, Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Narhari Zirwal and Sanjay Bansode. Tatkare informed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the decision.
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