Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Sunetra Pawar, widow of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who perished in the Baramati plane crash three days ago, arrived in Mumbai early Saturday and stands poised to become Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister following the NCP’s legislature wing meeting this afternoon where senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed her unanimous election as party leader.
The swift dynastic succession—backed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who pledged Mahayuti coalition support—aims to stabilize the government vacuum left by Ajit’s death, with Sunetra likely handling key portfolios like Excise and Sports while navigating her non-legislator status via Rajya Sabha membership and potential by-election from Baramati.
This power shift, catching even Sharad Pawar’s rival NCP(SP) faction off-guard, underscores NCP’s strategic consolidation amid factional tensions and pre-empts merger talks, marking a landmark for women in Maharashtra politics.
Sunetra’s elevation transforms personal tragedy into political continuity for the Pawar empire.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Sunetra Pawar’s Rapid Rise: From Low Profile To Power Center
Political Journey:
Until 2024, Sunetra maintained a low profile focused on Baramati’s social work through institutions like Shrimant Thorle Madhavrao Peshwe Saranjam Trust. Her Lok Sabha debut from Baramati against Supriya Sule ended in defeat, but Rajya Sabha election in June 2024 positioned her for this leap.
Key Enablers:
Ajit’s iron-clad Baramati legacy (80% margins).
NCP loyalty post-crash: Bhujbal, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare unified.
Fadnavis greenlight: “We stand with Pawar family.”
Oath Timeline: 2 PM legislature meeting → Leader declaration → 5 PM Raj Bhavan swearing-in.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
NCP Legislature Wing Dynamics: Unanimous Backing
Jan 31 Mumbai Meeting Agenda:
| Item | Lead Proponent |
|---|---|
| Sunetra as Leader | Chhagan Bhujbal |
| Portfolio Allocation | Praful Patel |
| By-Election Strategy | Sunil Tatkare |
Bhujbal: “All unanimous—Sunetra vahini leads despite grief.” 40 MLAs expected; no dissent reported.
Pre-Meeting Moves: NCP delegation (Patel, Tatkare, Bhujbal, Munde) secured Fadnavis nod Friday.
Mahayuti Coalition Stability: Fadnavis’ Masterstroke
CM’s Position: “NCP decides, BJP supports—family first.” Devendra Fadnavis, managing interim Home/Finance, welcomes continuity to avert government collapse risks.
Portfolio Projections:
| Ministry | Current Holder | Likely Sunetra |
|---|---|---|
| Excise | Vacant | Confirmed |
| Sports | Vacant | Confirmed |
| Finance | Fadnavis (int) | Retained |
Cabinet expansion post-oath stabilizes 3-party alliance.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Sharad Pawar Faction Shock: NCP(SP) Blindsided
Rival Reaction: Supriya Sule silent; Sharad Pawar “in the dark” per sources. 2024 Baramati duel (Sunetra vs Supriya) sets merger hurdle.
Faction Math:
| Group | MLAs | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ajit NCP | 47 | Dominant |
| Sharad NCP(SP) | 9 | Marginal |
Sunetra move blocks Sharad reconciliation.
Baramati By-Election Crucible: Pawar Legacy Test
Vacancy: Ajit’s MLA seat opens—Sunetra ineligible as RS MP. Parth Pawar (son) frontrunner.
Historical Margins:
| Election | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ajit | 1.8L |
| 2019 | Ajit | 2.5L |
Sympathy wave projected +20% boost.
Sunetra’s Profile: Philanthropist To Powerbroker
Background: Age 62-63, married Ajit 1985. Runs network of colleges, hospitals in Baramati.
Political Assets: Clean image vs Ajit’s scam shadows; women’s wing mobilization.
Challenges: No legislative experience; factional navigation.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Chhagan Bhujbal’s Kingmaker Role
Senior Leader Profile: Food/Civil Supplies Minister. OBC strongman bridges tribal-NCP base.
Quote: “Sunetra accepts despite grief—party unanimous.”
Strategic elevation cements Bhujbal’s influence.
Fadnavis’ Coalition Chessboard: BJP Gains
Benefits: NCP stability prevents floor test. Western Maharashtra sugar belt secured.
Risks: Sunetra asserts independence post-consolidation.
Mahayuti Equation: BJP 132, Shiv Sena 57, NCP 47 = 236 majority in 288.
Women’s Milestone: First Female Dy CM
Maharashtra Precedent: No prior woman in Dy CM post since 1995 statehood.
National Context: Only 5 states had women Dy CMs historically.
Sunetra joins Smriti Irani, Mamata league.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Economic Continuity: Pawar Sugar Empire
Baramati Holdings: ₹8,000 cr turnover stabilized. Sunetra trustee key institutions.
Sharad Pawar’s Dilemma: Family Rift Deepens
Post-2023 Split: Ajit faction dominates legislature. Sunetra seals divide.
Supriya Response: Expected statement post-oath.
Legislative Loophole: RS MP To Dy CM
Constitutional: Article 164 allows non-MLA ministers (6 months to contest). Baramati bypoll solution.
Media Storm: Dynasty Debate Erupts
TRP Peak: 200M viewers expected. #SunetraPawar trends 1.8M.
Critics: “Hereditary politics.” Supporters: “Merit in grief.”
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Opposition MVA Reaction: Muted
Congress: “Dynasty anywhere problematic.” Uddhav: Focus crash probe.
Timeline: Oath To Cabinet
Jan 31: 2 PM meeting → 5 PM oath.
Feb 1: Portfolio allocation.
Feb 15: By-election notification?
Parth Pawar’s Shadow Role
Son positions Baramati organizational chief. 2027 assembly launchpad.
Fadnavis’ Varsha Residence Meet
Friday huddle signals smooth transition. “Earliest swearing-in” priority.
NCP Reunification Blocked
Sunetra cements Ajit faction independence from Sharad.
Sunetra Pawar Set For Historic Oath/sbkinews.in
Voter Sentiment: Baramati Fortress
80% loyalty intact; women voters +15% projected.
Governance Impact: Excise/Sports Priorities
Excise Policy: Overhaul post-Mantralaya raids.
Sports: Olympic 2028 funding boost.
Legacy Angle: Pawar Matriarch Emerges
Sunetra transforms from support role to state No.2.
National Echoes: BJP Women Empowerment
Post-33% bill optics; Maharashtra template.
Risks: Legislative Test, Faction Pushback
6-month bypoll deadline critical. Sharad legal challenges?
Maharashtra’s first woman Dy CM—Pawar dynasty evolves.
