LIVE UPDATES | Sunetra Pawar to take oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM after Ajit Pawar’s death; Sharad Pawar says unaware of decision
Ajit Pawar, 66, died on Wednesday when the VT-SSK Learjet 45 he was travelling in crashed while landing at Baramati airport
Jan 31, 2026 02:04 PM
NCP MLAs back Sunetra Pawar for Deputy CM post
Jan 31, 2026 02:03 PM
Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar left NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar’s Govindbaug residence in Baramati after a meeting that lasted over one-and-a-half hours. Supriya Sule was also present at the meeting.
Jan 31, 2026 12:43 PM
Jan 31, 2026 12:42 PM
Jan 31, 2026 12:06 PM
Prominent leaders call on Sharad Pawar
Several notable figures visited NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar at his Baramati residence today following the passing of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Among them were Chatrapati Maloji Raje, son of Chatrapati Sahu Maharaj, and Padma Shri Dr. Pratapsingh Jadhav, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Pudhari Group. They arrived at Govind Baug, the Pawar family home, to offer their condolences.
Jan 31, 2026 12:06 PM
Jan 31, 2026 12:04 PM
Ajit Pawar’s eldest son meets Sharad Pawar
Following Sharad Pawar’s remarks, Ajit Pawar’s eldest son Parth Pawar paid a visit to him at the family residence, Govind Baug, in Baramati. Sharad Pawar stated that he has no information regarding Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking and added that Ajit Pawar has expressed a wish to see both NCP factions merge. Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar is staying at the Devgiri bungalow, the official government residence in Mumbai.
Jan 31, 2026 11:54 AM
Who is Sunetra Pawar?
Sunetra Pawar, born in October 1963 in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, comes from a family deeply rooted in regional politics. Her father, Bajirao Patil, was a prominent local leader, while her brother Padamsinh Bajirao Patil played an influential role in district-level politics during the 1980s.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from SB College, Aurangabad, an academic background that later helped her take on leadership roles in large institutional and industrial initiatives, including the Baramati High-Tech Textile Park.
Leadership in Industrial Projects
Sunetra Pawar played a central role in the planning and management of the Baramati High-Tech Textile Park, where she was involved in key decisions related to production, investment strategies, employment generation and women-centric initiatives.
The textile park employs more than 15,000 women, largely from rural communities, making it one of the region’s biggest drivers of women’s economic participation. Her work in this area earned her recognition at the ‘Icons of Pune’ Awards, and the project also received national attention, including a visit by former President Pratibha Patil.
Global Engagement
Since 2011, Sunetra Pawar has been associated with the World Entrepreneurship Forum in France as a member of its think tank. Through this platform, she represents India in global discussions on sustainability, entrepreneurship and social innovation.
Role in Education
She serves as a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, one of Maharashtra’s leading educational institutions. In this capacity, she oversees academic standards, administrative frameworks and long-term planning across institutions that cater to over 25,000 students.
Social and Environmental Initiatives
In 2010, Sunetra Pawar founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), an NGO focused on environmental protection and sustainable agriculture. Under her leadership, the organisation promoted organic farming and introduced the eco-village concept in India.
One of EFOI’s landmark initiatives was the transformation of Katewadi village into the country’s first recognised eco-village. The project emphasised water conservation, renewable energy use, scientific waste management, protection of natural resources and strengthening rural livelihoods.
She is also associated as a trustee and advisor with an old-age home located near Baramati, contributing to elder care initiatives.
Environmental Advocacy
An active environmentalist, Sunetra Pawar has led multiple grassroots movements focused on biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species. Her work in water management, particularly in drought-affected regions, has drawn wide appreciation. In recognition of her efforts, she was conferred the ‘Green Warrior Award.’
Jan 31, 2026 11:20 AM
Jan 31, 2026 11:07 AM
Sharad Pawar 'unhappy'
Sharad Pawar says the decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister was taken by the NCP and that the family was not consulted
Jan 31, 2026 11:05 AM
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says the BJP-led Mahayuti would stand by the decision taken by the family and the Nationalist Congress Party following the death of Ajit Pawar
Jan 31, 2026 11:05 AM
The 62-year-old leader, who is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, is set to be elected leader of the Nationalist Congress Party’s legislature wing at a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon, paving the way for her oath-taking as the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister.
PTC Web Desk: Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, is set to take oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday, days after her husband died in a tragic plane crash. The development has come as a surprise to NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, who said he had no prior knowledge of the decision.
Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s uncle, said neither he nor the leadership of his faction of the party was consulted about Sunetra Pawar joining the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Speaking to reporters, Sharad Pawar said he learnt about the move only through media reports.
“I have no information about it. Her party must have taken the decision. I read in the newspapers that some leaders, including Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, are taking initiatives. There was no discussion with me. I am not even aware if it is actually happening,” he said.
Sunetra Pawar, who is not a member of either House of the Maharashtra legislature, is expected to be elected leader of the NCP legislature wing at a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday. She is likely to be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister shortly after.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar revealed that talks to merge the two rival NCP factions have been paused following Ajit Pawar’s death. He said discussions had been ongoing for the past four months and were being led by Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde.
“The merger date had already been finalised for February 12. Unfortunately, Ajit left us before that. Now we feel his wish should be honoured, but the process has been put on hold for the time being,” Sharad Pawar said.
The NCP split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar, along with over 40 MLAs, joined the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. Sharad Pawar later named his faction the Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar.
Ajit Pawar, 66, died on Wednesday when the VT-SSK Learjet 45 he was travelling in crashed while landing at Baramati airport. Four others, including his personal security officer, pilot, co-pilot and a cabin crew member, were also killed in the accident.
Sunetra Pawar reached her late husband’s official residence in south Mumbai in the early hours of Friday, accompanied by her son Parth Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s last rites were conducted with full state honours on Thursday at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati. Several senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Sharad Pawar and actor Riteish Deshmukh, attended the funeral.