Sunetra Pawar, fondly called Vahini, is set to assume office as Maharashtra’s first woman deputy chief minister.
Vibes of India had reported that her appointment was a foregone conclusion, following the death of her husband and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash.
All ministerial portfolios earlier held by Ajit Pawar, barring finance and planning, will be transferred to her.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders invoked the memory of the former deputy chief minister by raising slogans, hailing Ajit Pawar with chants of “Ajit dada amar rahe.”
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office to her at a simple ceremony held at Lok Bhavan.
“This is a very difficult time. In such a situation, after making her the deputy chief minister, we are now getting a positive angle, and the party is receiving a new direction,” says NCP leader Sana Malik.
The NCP, a constituent of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, submitted a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informing him of Sunetra Pawar’s election as the party’s legislature party leader. The decision was taken at a meeting of NCP leaders at Vidhan Bhavan, where she was unanimously elected.
Her nomination was proposed by senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and seconded by other senior leaders, leading to her unanimous selection.
As earlier reported by Vibes of India, the NCP’s identity has been closely linked to the Pawar family. The party revolved around Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule.
Many within the party believe that Sunetra Pawar is the only leader capable of holding the faction together.
At the grassroots level, particularly in Baramati, party leaders are keen that one of Ajit Pawar’s sons, Parth or Jay, should contest the bypoll.
Earlier, leaders of the NCP (SP) reportedly gathered at Sharad Pawar’s residence in Baramati to devise the party’s future strategy.
The meeting followed Sharad Pawar playing down talks of a possible merger between the two NCP factions after his nephew’s demise.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ram Kadam said that Sharad Pawar’s views on Sunetra Pawar becoming the deputy CM of Maharashtra is “less important”.
He was quoted as saying, “Many leaders in NCP feel that his wife, who is a Member of Parliament, should become the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Now, what Sharad Pawar ji is saying or not saying is less important; given their blood relationship, he would also personally wish for Sunetra ji to become the Deputy Chief Minister.”
“Perhaps, since they belong to different parties, he might have a different role in mind. But if he were asked personally, as a family member, he might also want this. However, only he can clarify his actual role in this matter.”
Also Read: Ajit Pawar’s Mortal Remains Consigned To Flames https://www.vibesofindia.com/ajit-pawars-mortal-remains-consigned-to-flames/
