Sunetra Pawar to take oath as first woman deputy CM of Maharashtra
Sunetra Pawar is set to become Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash.
She is scheduled to take oath today, January 31, 2026, at 5 PM in a low-key ceremony at Raj Bhavan or Lok Bhavan in Mumbai, after an NCP legislature party meeting at 2 PM elects her as leader. The 62- or 63-year-old Rajya Sabha MP, who previously contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully, has accepted the role with support from NCP leaders like Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal.
This transition fills the vacancy left by Ajit Pawar, who held key portfolios including finance; it’s unclear if Sunetra will retain them immediately, as she must contest a bypoll or secure legislative membership soon. The move occurs amid NCP faction merger talks, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approving the swift process.
