Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and long-time social worker, is poised to take oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister following the sudden and tragic death of her husband, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash earlier this week. Her elevation marks a significant moment not only for the Pawar family but also for Maharashtra’s political landscape, which is grappling with grief, succession, and unresolved factional tensions within the NCP.

While the Constitution permits her appointment even without being a member of the state legislature, there is a crucial condition attached: Sunetra Pawar must secure election to either the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) or the Legislative Council (MLC) within six months to continue in office.

What the Constitution Allows — and Requires

Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a person who is not a member of a state legislature can be appointed as a minister, including Deputy Chief Minister, provided they are elected or nominated to the legislature within six months of assuming office. The appointment is made on the Chief Minister’s recommendation and requires the backing of the ruling party or coalition.

In Sunetra Pawar’s case, the NCP has decided to elevate her following Ajit Pawar’s death, and she is scheduled to be sworn in on Saturday evening. However, her continuation in the post hinges on fulfilling the constitutional mandate within the stipulated timeframe.

How Sunetra Pawar Can Enter the State Legislature

There are multiple pathways available for Sunetra Pawar to meet the six-month requirement. A sitting NCP MLA could resign, paving the way for her to contest a by-election. The Baramati seat, long associated with Ajit Pawar, is currently vacant and is seen as a likely option.

This route has precedence. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray both assumed office without being MLAs initially and later won by-elections to legitimise their positions.

Alternatively, Sunetra Pawar could be nominated or elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Sources also indicate that her Rajya Sabha seat will be vacated, with her elder son, Parth Pawar, likely to be considered for the Upper House position.

A Low-Key Oath Amid Political Mourning

The oath-taking ceremony, scheduled for 5 pm today, will be deliberately subdued. According to officials, it will be restricted to essential administrative formalities, with no grand decorations or elaborate lighting.

Attendance will be limited to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, cabinet ministers, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and a small number of family members—reflecting the sombre mood following Ajit Pawar’s death.

Ajit Pawar’s Tragic Death

Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning when a Learjet 45, owned and operated by VSR Ventures, crashed during a second landing attempt while flying from Mumbai to Baramati. Along with Pawar, four others were killed in the crash: pilot Sumit Kapur, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, Pawar’s personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.

The tragedy left a sudden vacuum at the top of the NCP’s Maharashtra unit and triggered urgent deliberations over leadership continuity.

Sunetra Pawar’s Early Life and Background

Born in 1963 in Osmanabad (now Dharashiv), Sunetra Pawar hails from a Maratha family deeply embedded in regional politics. Her father, Bajirao Patil, was a local political figure, and her brother, Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, rose to prominence in the district during the 1980s.

She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from S B Arts and Commerce College in Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) in 1983. In December 1985, she married Ajit Pawar after an alliance facilitated by her brother earlier that year.

Despite being part of one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families, Sunetra Pawar stayed away from frontline politics for decades, choosing instead to focus on grassroots social initiatives.

Social Work and the Kathewadi Model

Sunetra Pawar’s most visible public contributions emerged in Kathewadi, the Pawar family’s ancestral village near Baramati. Disturbed by open defecation and poor sanitation, she spearheaded a cleanliness drive, personally engaging with villagers and encouraging toilet construction.

Her efforts bore fruit in 2006, when Kathewadi received the Centre’s “Nirmal Gram” status for becoming open-defecation free. Over time, the village evolved into a model eco-village, incorporating solar streetlights, biogas units, waste management systems, and organic farming practices. Kathewadi also earned multiple accolades, including the Sant Gadgebaba Swachhata Abhiyan award.

She further championed gender-inclusive reforms, such as recording mothers’ names alongside fathers’ names in land records and promoting women’s self-help groups.

Role in Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park

Sunetra Pawar later became closely associated with the Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park, a 65-acre project approved in 2008 under the Centre’s Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks. Serving as chairperson, she oversaw a facility that today employs over 15,000 workers, the majority of them women, across apparel, weaving, and printing units.

Entry into Electoral Politics

Her formal entry into electoral politics came during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when Ajit Pawar fielded her from Baramati as the NCP candidate on the BJP-led NDA ticket. The contest was symbolically charged, pitting her against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar. Sunetra Pawar lost the election, underscoring the deep rift within both the Pawar family and the party.

Subsequently, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Since taking oath in June 2024, her attendance has stood at around 69%, above the national average of 58%. She has participated in four debates so far.

Controversies and Clean Chits

Sunetra Pawar has largely maintained a low public profile, though controversies involving family members have surfaced over the years. In 2009, her brother Padamsinh Patil was named the prime accused in the 2006 murder of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver. The case, investigated by the CBI, remains pending.

Her name also appeared in early probes related to the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case due to her links with companies involved in sugar mill transactions. While the Enforcement Directorate attached assets linked to firms associated with Ajit and Sunetra Pawar in 2021, neither was named in the chargesheet. In April 2024, Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing gave her a clean chit, stating no criminal offence was found.

NCP’s Internal Consultations and Leadership Transition

Following Ajit Pawar’s death, the NCP initiated consultations to fill the Deputy CM vacancy. A delegation including Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dhananjay Munde met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday.

Patel emphasised urgency but also caution. He stated that no name was discussed during the initial meeting and that the party would consult its MLAs before arriving at a decision. He also noted that discussions with Sunetra Pawar would take place only after family rituals concluded.

An NCP legislative party meeting is expected soon to assess the sentiment among MLAs.

Portfolio Allocation and Budget Responsibility

Sunetra Pawar will be allotted all ministerial portfolios previously held by Ajit Pawar except Finance and Planning. Ajit Pawar had overseen Finance and Planning, State Excise, Sports, and Minority Affairs.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will now handle Finance and Planning and is expected to present the state budget during the Assembly session beginning in the last week of February. Acknowledging Ajit Pawar’s role, Fadnavis said that the late leader had completed most budget preparations and that he would personally oversee the remaining process.

Sharad Pawar’s Remarks and the Family Divide

Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle and chief of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), distanced himself from the decision to elevate Sunetra Pawar, stating that the family was not consulted. He said he learned about the oath ceremony through the media and declined to confirm whether any family members would attend.

His remarks underscore the enduring split that emerged in July 2023, when Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle to form a separate faction.

The Unfulfilled Reunion

According to NCP (SP) leader Ankush Kakade, Ajit Pawar had hoped to reunite the two NCP factions as a “gift” for Sharad Pawar’s birthday on December 12. While discussions took place, the merger was postponed, with Ajit Pawar expressing hope for reconciliation after elections—a wish left unfulfilled.

NDTV later accessed details of a January 17 meeting between the two leaders, where plans were reportedly made to announce a reunion on February 12.

The Road Ahead

If sworn in, Sunetra Pawar will inherit not just a constitutional office but a party navigating grief, factional politics, and leadership recalibration. She will need to establish authority among seasoned leaders while balancing legacy, governance, and the unresolved dynamics of the Pawar family.

Her journey—from social work and relative political distance to the cusp of Maharashtra’s executive leadership—marks one of the most consequential transitions in the state’s recent political history.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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