BARAMATI, MAHARASHTRA — Veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has publicly addressed reports about Sunetra Pawar’s forthcoming oath‑taking as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, saying that he had no prior information and only learned about it through news reports, in a statement that has highlighted internal communication gaps in the party following the sudden death of his nephew Ajit Pawar earlier this week.
Sharad Pawar Distances Himself from Oath Ceremony
Sharad Pawar, chief of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction, spoke at a press conference in Baramati, emphasising that he was unaware of plans for Sunetra Pawar’s swearing‑in as Deputy Chief Minister. Pawar said he first came to know of the developments through media reports and that no member of his family had been consulted before the decision was made by senior party leaders. “We don’t know about the swearing‑in. We got to know about it through the news,” he said, indicating he had “no idea” about the ceremony and that decisions were likely taken by other party figures such as Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.
Party Decisions and Internal Dynamics
Sharad Pawar suggested that the decision to position Sunetra Pawar the widow of the late Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on January 28, 2026 was made within the party leadership and not communicated to him or to the wider Pawar family. He reiterated his belief that the NCP leadership as an institution must have made the call, saying that individuals like Patel and Tatkare “might have decided something” internally before announcing Sunetra Pawar’s role in the ruling Mahayuti government.
Merger Talks and Ajit Pawar’s Legacy
In the same briefing, Sharad Pawar recalled that his late nephew Ajit Pawar had desired a merger of the two NCP factions, and that merger talks led by Ajit Pawar, Shashikant Shinde and Jayant Patil were already underway with a date set for an announcement on February 12, 2026. Pawar expressed optimism that Ajit Pawar’s wish for unity would be fulfilled, despite the tragic interruption caused by his death.
Political Implications and Reactions
Sunetra Pawar’s elevation and the way it was handled have stirred debate about party unity and strategic direction in the NCP, particularly given the recent split within the party and evolving leadership dynamics ahead of future elections. Sharad Pawar’s public comments have underscored that although his faction did not initiate Sunetra Pawar’s appointment, the legacy of Ajit Pawar’s leadership and his goals for the party remain a central focus.