Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister at 5 pm on Saturday.

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Sunetra Pawar, a long-time force behind the scenes of Maharashtra politics, is now stepping into the limelight as she prepares to lead the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislature and assume office as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The sudden demise of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday has reshaped the state’s political landscape, thrusting Sunetra, 62, into a role fraught with responsibility and complexity.

Even before her marriage into the influential Pawar family in 1985, Sunetra, then Sunetra Patil, was steeped in political life. Born in October 1963 to veteran leader Bajirao Patil, and sister to another politician, she inherited a strong political lineage. Yet she remained largely out of public view for nearly four decades, contributing quietly as the NCP emerged as a major political force under Sharad Pawar and later Ajit Pawar. Her public political career only began after the dramatic 2023 split in the NCP, when Ajit Pawar broke away from Sharad Pawar’s faction, claiming the party name and symbol.

The year 2024 marked a turning point for Sunetra Pawar, fondly known as ‘Vahini’ by her supporters. She contested the Lok Sabha elections from Baramati, facing her sister-in-law Supriya Sule of Sharad Pawar’s faction. Though she lost by over 1.5 lakh votes, she soon gained political ground by being elected to the Rajya Sabha, signaling her growing role in state and national politics.

Sunetra Pawar’s background combines education, industry, and social work. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from SB College, Aurangabad. Post-marriage, she headed initiatives at the Baramati High-Tech Textile Park, overseeing production, investment, employment, and women’s empowerment. She is also a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, managing institutions serving over 25,000 students.

Her social contributions are equally notable. In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI) and transformed Katewadi village into India’s first eco-village, emphasizing water conservation and solar energy. Over the years, she has led campaigns on biodiversity, water management, and drought mitigation, reflecting a strong grassroots engagement.

Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath as Deputy Chief Minister at 5 pm on Saturday. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said party leaders had urged her to accept the responsibility, noting that filling the post was a reasonable demand, while NCP working president Praful Patel confirmed party unity behind her leadership.

Her immediate challenges include deciding the future course of the NCP, especially the potential reunification with Sharad Pawar’s faction. Sources revealed that Ajit Pawar had initiated reunification talks before his death, but the balance of power could shift significantly now. A reunion may raise complex issues regarding leadership and political alignment, given that Ajit Pawar’s NCP had been allied with the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while Sharad Pawar’s faction remains with the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

As Sunetra Pawar prepares to step into a historic role, her leadership will be pivotal in shaping the future trajectory of Maharashtra’s politics. She faces the dual task of steering the party through grief while navigating a delicate political realignment that could redefine alliances in the state.