The deputy CM post became vacant after Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in a plane crash. Ajit had held multiple key portfolios, including finance, excise, and sports, alongside the deputy chief ministership. Sources indicate that the finance ministry is likely to remain with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is expected to present the state budget in March.
A day-long series of discussions between NCP leaders and CM Fadnavis marked preparations for the appointment. At 11 am, a delegation including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Sunil Tatkare met Fadnavis at Varsha Bungalow in Mumbai to deliberate on the deputy CM position and departmental allocations. Later in the evening, Sunetra Pawar consulted Ajit’s election strategist, Naresh Arora, before agreeing to assume office, though she will not take over the finance portfolio immediately.
Praful Patel emphasized the importance of swift decisions, noting that public sentiment and party morale required clarity on Ajit Pawar’s portfolios. “Given the current situation in the state, it is crucial to take firm decisions without delay,” he said.
The development also has implications for the ongoing merger of the two NCP factions. Ajit Pawar had reportedly reached an advanced stage of talks for reunifying the party before his death, aiming to consolidate power in western Maharashtra, particularly in the sugar belt. NCP leaders, including Kiran Gujar and Jayant Patil, confirmed that Ajit had prepared a roadmap for the merger, which may now proceed after the local body elections and associated rituals.
Sunetra Pawar’s appointment is being viewed as a gesture respecting Ajit Pawar’s legacy and maintaining stability within the party. Observers note that a united NCP, strengthened by this move, could significantly influence the state’s political arithmetic within the Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Congress leaders have maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing that the deputy CM post is a party decision and not a constitutional requirement. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have expressed support for NCP unity and Sunetra Pawar’s leadership, citing potential benefits for governance and electoral prospects.
As Maharashtra mourns the loss of Ajit Pawar, political attention now shifts to how the NCP consolidates its position and navigates cabinet allocations in the wake of his passing.
