Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking oath as Maharashtra’s first woman deputy chief minister. In a post on X, she said, “The blessing you have given is inspiring for me. As I begin the new responsibility for the service of Maharashtra, your words have increased my confidence in the work of public welfare. The resolve to work honestly and with dedicated commitment to the welfare of the people of the state has become even stronger because of this. Heartfelt thanks for your trust.”
Speaking about her late husband, Sunetra Pawar said, “Respected Ajitdada gave the mantra of living one’s entire life for farmers, laborers, women, youth, and deprived sections. Today, carrying forward the legacy of his thoughts with unwavering loyalty to the principles of ‘Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar’, my heart is truly overflowing as I accept the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister position with a sense of duty.”
She added, “Though the untimely passing of Dada has caused a mountain of sorrow, the true support I have is the duty-bound commitment, the strength to struggle, and the bond with the people that he taught me. I will continue to work tirelessly and honestly to realize the just, equality-based, and developed Maharashtra of his dreams. In these difficult times, the love and support from the people of Maharashtra are my true strength. With the power of your trust, illuminating Dada’s ideals, I will keep moving forward with new hope.”
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Earlier in the day, Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected leader of the Nationalist Congress Party’s legislature wing, three days after the death of her husband. Her name was proposed by senior leader Dilip Walse Patil and seconded by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal at a meeting held at Ajit Pawar’s office in the Vidhan Bhavan complex in south Mumbai.
Ajit Pawar, who served as deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash near Baramati on January 28 along with four others. At the legislature party meeting, Sunetra Pawar paid floral tributes to her husband’s portrait. Their younger son, Jay Pawar, was present. Several ministers and MLAs were seen visibly emotional.
As Sunetra Pawar took the oath, NCP leaders raised slogans of “Ajit Dada amar rahe.”
Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar had largely remained away from active politics. She contested from Baramati that year on the NCP ticket but lost to her sister-in-law, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule. She was later elected to the Rajya Sabha.