In a significant political development in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislature party held an important meeting to decide on leadership following the sudden death of Ajit Pawar, the state’s deputy chief minister, in a plane crash on January 28, 2026. At the meeting, members unanimously chose <span class="aet-entity aet-person" data-title="Sunetra Pawar" data-text="Sunetra Ajit Pawar is an Indian politician serving as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra alongside Eknath Shinde. She is the first woman to…” data-img=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Sunetra_Pawar.jpg/330px-Sunetra_Pawar.jpg” data-url=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunetra_Pawar”>Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife and a senior party figure as their leader, clearing the path for her to assume the post of Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
Sunetra Pawar’s elevation marks a historic moment: she became Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister when she took oath on 31 January 2026, just days after the legislative party meeting. The decision was made amid ongoing efforts to maintain political continuity and stability within the Mahayuti alliance government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
Senior NCP leaders including Dilip Walse Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal backed her nomination at the meeting, responding to calls from party workers and legislators to preserve Ajit Pawar’s political legacy and ensure steady governance following his untimely death. The move also reflects internal dynamics within the party as it navigates leadership and organisational decisions after a major loss.
In addition to the immediate leadership change, political discussions are continuing about Sunetra Pawar’s broader role, with reports suggesting she may soon be elected national president of the NCP, consolidating her position within the party at both the state and national levels.
Sunetra Pawar is also likely to contest a bypoll from the Baramati assembly seat, which became vacant after Ajit Pawar’s death; winning this seat would be crucial for her to secure a legislative mandate and continue in her executive role. Political analysts say major parties may refrain from contesting the seat due to public sympathy and her strong family legacy.
These developments come amid broader discussions over party unity and potential realignments in Maharashtra politics, as leaders from different factions continue to negotiate future strategies following recent shifts in power.
