With strong signals emerging from within the Nationalist Congress Party that its top leadership is inclined to elevate Sunetra Pawar to a larger executive role, the 63-year-old Rajya Sabha member is being viewed as the frontrunner to step into the political vacuum left by the death of veteran leader Ajit Pawar. If the move materialises, Sunetra Pawar would become the first woman to serve as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking a significant moment in the state’s political history.
According to reports, senior party functionaries confirmed consultations are underway within the NCP and among alliance partners on the shape of a possible leadership reconfiguration, even as the party seeks to ensure continuity of its influence in western Maharashtra, a region long associated with the Pawar family’s political dominance. Ajit Pawar’s passing has not only created an emotional void within the party but also opened up a critical question of succession, given his stature as a mass leader, administrator and key strategist.
Sunetra Pawar, who entered the Rajya Sabha in 2024, has in recent months begun to assume a more visible public role, attending party meetings, interacting with grassroots workers and addressing select public gatherings. Though married into the Pawar family for more than four decades, she largely stayed away from frontline politics for most of her life, focusing instead on family responsibilities and social initiatives. Her gradual political emergence has been seen by party insiders as a carefully calibrated transition rather than a sudden shift.
Leaders familiar with the discussions say her candidature is being considered not merely on the basis of lineage but also as a way to preserve organisational stability and signal continuity to the party’s core support base. They argue that her calm demeanour, familiarity with party networks and perceived acceptability across factions could help the NCP navigate a sensitive phase.
At the same time, the prospect of Sunetra Pawar becoming Deputy Chief Minister has sparked intense debate within political circles. Supporters view it as a historic opportunity to break the glass ceiling in Maharashtra’s top executive leadership, while critics have raised questions about dynastic politics and the need for broader consultations within the party.
The NCP leadership has so far refrained from making any formal announcement, maintaining that decisions will be taken collectively and at an appropriate time. However, with the state’s political landscape in flux and coalition dynamics requiring careful management, pressure is mounting on the party to present a clear roadmap.
If confirmed, Sunetra Pawar’s elevation would not only reshape the NCP’s internal power structure but also send a strong symbolic message about women’s leadership in Maharashtra’s traditionally male-dominated political arena.