5 Days After Tragedy, Sunetra Pawar Becomes Deputy CM

Mumbai, January 31: By the time the oath was over at Lok Bhavan on Thursday, most people outside already knew what had happened. Word travels fast in politics, especially when grief and power mix. Sunetra Pawar had taken charge as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. There was no suspense. No shock. Just a quiet acceptance that this was how things were going to be.

On January 30, 2026, she also became the first woman to hold the post in the state. That sentence sounds historic. The mood on the ground, however, was far from celebratory.

Only days earlier, Ajit Pawar was alive, active, calling the shots. Then came the news of the plane crash near Baramati. Since then, everything has moved quickly. Too quickly for some. But in Maharashtra politics, waiting is a luxury few can afford.

No Applause, Only Slogans

Inside the hall, the ceremony was brief. Acharya Devvrat administered the oath. Devendra Fadnavis stood nearby, expressionless. So did Eknath Shinde. No speeches. No handshakes for the cameras.

Outside, party workers had gathered since morning. Some were angry. Some were still in disbelief. They shouted “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” again and again. For them, this was not about Sunetra Pawar. It was about not letting Ajit Pawar’s chair remain empty, even for a day.

A few hours later, Narendra Modi posted a congratulatory message on X. He said Sunetra Pawar would carry forward Ajit Pawar’s vision. In political language, that was enough. It meant there would be no resistance from Delhi.

Why No One Objected

Earlier that day, MLAs from the Ajit Pawar group of the NCP met. The meeting did not last long. Sunetra Pawar’s name came up. Nobody argued. Nobody suggested alternatives.

Ajit Pawar handled the NCP’s place in the Mahayuti government. His sudden death left a hole that needed filling immediately. If the seat stayed empty, questions would follow. Allies would start bargaining. Rivals would start talking.

Sunetra Pawar was the easiest answer.

She was acceptable to all sides. She carried the Pawar name. And after Ajit Pawar’s death, no one wanted to be seen opposing the family.

Opposition leaders did not hide their views. Sanjay Raut said it was an internal adjustment. Priyanka Chaturvedi called it coalition politics at work. Nothing unusual, really.

Not A Typical Politician

Most people in Maharashtra did not know much about Sunetra Pawar until recently. She never chased the spotlight. She did not hold daily press conferences. She did not trade insults on television.

For years, she stayed in the background, focusing on social work and local activities, mostly around Baramati. Ajit Pawar was the political face. She stayed away.

In 2024, she stepped into the electoral arena, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Baramati. She lost to Supriya Sule. Many assumed that would be the end of her political ambitions.

It was not.

She remained a Rajya Sabha MP, kept in touch with party workers, and attended meetings quietly. Those who know her describe her as calm, careful, and not fond of big statements.

Now, at 62, she holds a post that demands authority and tough decision-making. It is a role she did not build towards slowly. It arrived suddenly.

The Alliance Needed Stability

After Ajit Pawar’s death, the Mahayuti alliance was nervous. The BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena wanted clarity. Would the NCP remain united? Would it demand changes?

Sunetra Pawar’s appointment answered those questions.

When Amit Shah publicly congratulated her, it sealed the deal. The message was clear. The arrangement was acceptable. The government would continue as before.

What happens inside the cabinet room is another matter. Sunetra Pawar will be sitting with leaders who have spent decades in power. Respect is earned, not inherited.

The Uncomfortable Talk Of Dynasty

People are talking, even if quietly.

Is this about sympathy? Is this about family? Or is it simply how politics works?

Maharashtra has seen political families rise and stay powerful for generations. The Pawars are no exception. Sunetra Pawar’s elevation has reopened that debate.

Supporters say the party needed stability, not experiments. Critics say power keeps circulating within the same names.

Both sides have a point.

What To Expect Next

There is no indication that Sunetra Pawar will aim for the Chief Minister’s post. Devendra Fadnavis remains firmly in charge. Her focus will be on keeping her party together, working with allies, and managing her departments.

The budget session will be the real test. Not speeches. Not symbolism. Just how she handles pressure, files, and negotiations.

A First, But Not A Celebration

Sunetra Pawar has made history. No one can take that away. She is the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

But this is not a feel-good political story. It is a story born out of loss and urgency. Whether she grows into the role or remains a symbol of continuity after tragedy will become clear only with time.

For now, the state moves on. Politics rarely waits.

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Ananya Sharma

Senior Political Correspondent – Ananya@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers Indian politics, governance, and policy developments with over a decade of experience in political reporting.

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