Sunetra Pawar Arrives in Mumbai, Set to Become Maharashtra’s First Woman Deputy Chief Minister

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel, January 31, 2026

Rajya Sabha member and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sunetra Pawar arrived in Mumbai early Saturday morning, paving the way for her elevation as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, following the untimely death of her husband and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash earlier this week.

Ms. Pawar reached her late husband’s official residence, Devgiri, in south Mumbai in the early hours, accompanied by her son Parth Pawar. Her arrival marks a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political history, both symbolically and politically.

According to senior NCP leader and State minister Chhagan Bhujbal, the party’s legislature wing will convene a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan around 2 pm on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar is expected to be unanimously named as the party’s legislative leader. A low-key oath-taking ceremony is scheduled later in the evening at Lok Bhavan.

The NCP currently has 40 MLAs, all of whom are expected to back the decision. Once sworn in, Ms. Pawar will become the first woman to hold the post of Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra, a milestone for the state.

Political Transition After Tragedy

Sunetra Pawar, 62, is presently a Rajya Sabha MP and is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra Legislature. Sources within the party indicate that a future political adjustment may see her son Parth Pawar stepping into her Rajya Sabha role, though no formal announcement has been made.

Her elevation comes days after Ajit Pawar’s death in a fatal aircraft crash in Baramati, an incident that has left a deep void in Maharashtra politics. Ajit Pawar was one of the most influential leaders in the state, having served as Deputy Chief Minister five times.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP would stand by the NCP’s decision.

“The NCP will take whatever decision it deems appropriate for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, and we will support it. We stand firmly with Ajit Dada’s family and the party during this difficult time,” Fadnavis said.

Mixed Reactions Within the Political Spectrum

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar stated that he was not consulted regarding the appointment and expressed surprise over the speed of the decision.

“It is the party’s decision. I do not have clarity on the reasons behind the hasty appointment,” he remarked.

Sunetra Pawar first came into the political spotlight during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when she contested from Baramati against her sister-in-law and sitting MP Supriya Sule. Though she lost that contest, she later entered Parliament through the Rajya Sabha.

As Maharashtra prepares for this historic transition, all eyes are now on Saturday’s party meeting and the formal swearing-in that will officially place Sunetra Pawar at the helm of the state’s executive leadership.