Sunetra Pawar Takes Oath as Maharashtra’s 1st Woman Deputy Chief Minister

January 31, 2026

MUMBAI, INDIA — In a historic moment for Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP and the wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders, marking a major milestone in the state’s political landscape.

Historic Oath-Taking Ceremony in Mumbai

Sunetra Pawar took her oath of office in a ceremony administered by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde among those present to witness the event. Supporters at the venue chanted “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe (Long Live Ajit Pawar)” as she assumed the role that was left vacant after her husband’s tragic death in a plane crash earlier this week.

Her appointment represents both a symbolic continuation of Ajit Pawar’s political legacy and a historic breakthrough in Maharashtra governance as she becomes the first woman to occupy the Deputy Chief Minister position in the state. Political observers have noted that this step reflects evolving gender dynamics in Indian politics.

Political Path to the Deputy CM Post

Prior to her oath, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) legislature party in Maharashtra, a necessary constitutional procedure that enables her to be appointed to the position. Senior NCP leaders, including Dilip Walse Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal, proposed and seconded her nomination during a legislature party meeting in south Mumbai.

Sunetra’s elevation comes only days after the sudden passing of Ajit Pawar, who died in an air crash in Baramati on January 28, 2026. In the wake of the tragedy, party leaders moved swiftly to ensure continuity within the NCP wing he led, choosing Sunetra as a unifying figure at a sensitive political moment.

A Remarkable Political Journey

Before entering high-profile politics, Sunetra Pawar largely stayed out of the electoral spotlight. She first contested a Lok Sabha seat in 2024 from Baramati, although she was defeated by her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule. Later that year, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, giving her a platform in national politics.

Her political ascent has been swift, driven in part by the need for stability and leadership amid the emotional aftermath of Ajit Pawar’s death. While her initial political experience was limited, senior party figures and state leaders backed her nomination, emphasizing the importance of a smooth transition in leadership for the ruling coalition.

Constitutional Conditions and Future Challenges

According to constitutional provisions, a person sworn in as a minister including Deputy Chief Minister must become a member of the state legislature (either as an MLA or MLC) within six months of appointment if they are not already one. As a sitting Rajya Sabha member, Sunetra now has that timeframe to seek election or nomination to a state house.

Her new role places her at the center of Maharashtra’s politics at a crucial time, with questions about future party cohesion, the potential merger of NCP factions, and preparations for upcoming elections all on the horizon.