In a major political development following a week of tragedy, Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday at 5 pm. Sources confirm she has accepted the elevation and will keep her existing portfolios in Excise and Sports. While the crucial Finance Ministry will stay with Devendra Fadnavis for now to navigate the upcoming March budget session, it is expected to be handed back to the NCP shortly after.
The decision to move Sunetra Pawar into the top executive tier wasn't just about filling a vacancy; NCP insiders say it’s a strategic play to stabilise the party's ranks before the Pune Zilla Parishad elections on February 7. The move reportedly came after intense deliberations within the Pawar family, eventually leading to Sunetra’s consent to step into the role alongside Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Earlier today, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed the timeline, noting that the Chief Minister had given the green light for the Saturday ceremony. The atmosphere at the NCP office remains heavy, however, as the party is still reeling from the sudden death of Ajit Pawar. The 66-year-old leader was killed on Wednesday when his chartered plane crashed while attempting to land in Baramati. The accident claimed five lives in total, including his security officer and the flight crew.
Ajit Pawar was laid to rest on Thursday with full state honours at Baramati’s Vidya Pratishthan ground. It was a somber gathering that bridged political divides, with everyone from Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari to Sharad Pawar and actor Riteish Deshmukh in attendance to pay their final respects. As his sons performed the last rites, the focus of the state’s political circle shifted toward how the family and the party would move forward— a question that today's announcement finally seems to answer.
Also read: Ajit Pawar’s untimely death may cause seismic political shifts
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