Sunetra Pawar to be Sworn In as Maharashtra’s First Woman Deputy CM Today

In a landmark moment for Maharashtra’s political history, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister today at 5:00 PM IST. The ceremony, scheduled to take place at Raj Bhavan, follows the tragic demise of her husband and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash earlier this week.

The decision was finalized late Friday night after senior NCP leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare, met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The move aims to provide stability to the party and the ruling Mahayuti alliance following the sudden leadership vacuum.

 The NCP Legislature Party will formally meet today at 2:00 PM at Vidhan Bhavan to elect Sunetra Pawar as their leader.

Cabinet Portfolios: Initial reports suggest she will take over the Excise and Sports portfolios. The Finance ministry, previously held by Ajit Pawar, will remain with CM Fadnavis temporarily to oversee the upcoming March budget session.

The political shift comes just three days after the January 28 crash in Baramati.

The Crash: A Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) carrying Ajit Pawar and four others crashed while attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport in dense fog.

Current Status: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed that the flight's "Black Box" (Flight Data Recorder) has been recovered. Preliminary findings suggest low visibility (approximately 800 meters) and a possible lack of night-landing facilities contributed to the accident.

State Mourning: Maharashtra is concluding its three-day official mourning period today, with flags flying at half-mast until the swearing-in ceremony.

Sunetra Pawar, widely respected and affectionately called "Vahini" (sister-in-law) by supporters, has been a key figure in Baramati’s social and educational development through the Environmental Forum of India.

As she transitions to the state executive, her Rajya Sabha seat is expected to be vacated. Internal party sources indicate that her elder son, Parth Pawar, is the primary candidate to fill the parliamentary vacancy. Meanwhile, Sunetra is expected to contest the by-poll for the Baramati Assembly seat, which became vacant upon her husband's passing.