Whether she emerges as a symbolic figurehead or a decisive state administrator, her decision to ‘take charge’ marks a new chapter for the Pawar dynasty
In Maharashtra’s political landscape reeling from the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar, the trajectory of his wife and Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar has transformed overnight from a supportive spouse to the possible primary custodian of a fractured legacy. As the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) grapples with the loss of its most aggressive organiser, sources suggest that Sunetra has agreed to step into the breach, potentially assuming the vacant Deputy Chief Minister mantle on Saturday to prevent the party’s 41-strong MLA block from splintering.
The Rise of ‘Vahini’
For over three decades, Sunetra Pawar was known to the people of Baramati simply as “Vahini” (sister-in-law). While her husband commanded the state’s treasury and political machinery, Sunetra built a grassroots reputation through the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI) and the Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park. Her work, largely focused on female empowerment and ecological conservation, allowed her to cultivate a distinct identity that was less about the “24-hour” administrative grit of Ajit Pawar and more about quiet, social resolve.
Her formal entry into the political arena in 2024 was a baptism by fire. Fielded in a high-stakes Lok Sabha battle against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule, she faced the brunt of a family feud that split the Pawar clan down the middle. Despite losing that contest, the campaign served as her introduction to national politics, leading to her election to the Rajya Sabha in June 2024.
A Reluctant Successor?
The current vacuum has placed Sunetra at a critical crossroads. Unlike senior leaders such as Sunil Tatkare or Praful Patel, she carries the emotive weight of the Pawar name—a vital currency in the family’s home turf. Sources close to the Mahayuti alliance indicate that after intense internal deliberations on Friday, she has shown a willingness to take charge of her late husband’s responsibilities.
However, the transition is not without its hurdles. Sunetra is regarded as a “Green Warrior” whose strengths lie in soft power and social entrepreneurship. Stepping into the Deputy CM’s office would require her to manage the complex, often cut-throat, dynamics of the state cabinet and act as a primary bridge to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. While her sons, Parth and Jay Pawar, have yet to establish themselves in frontline politics, the responsibility of holding the faction together falls squarely on her shoulders.
Navigating the Family Dynamic
Perhaps the greatest challenge Sunetra faces is the delicate relationship with the other NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar. Before the Baramati plane crash, reports of a “softening” between the two sides had hinted at a potential reunification. Now, as she prepares to possibly lead the NCP faction, Sunetra must decide whether to continue the path of separate identity carved out by her husband or seek a reconciliation under the mentorship of the family patriarch.
