Grief mingled with determination in Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan as Sunetra Pawar took oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, succeeding her late husband Ajit Pawar. NCP leaders’ cries of ‘Ajit Dada Amar Rahen’ captured the charged atmosphere of the ceremony.
Freshly appointed as head of the NCP legislative wing and a Rajya Sabha MP, Sunetra’s rise comes after pivotal discussions with CM Devendra Fadnavis. This seamless handover underscores the party’s unity in crisis.
NCP’s Anil Bhaidas Patil shared insights into the persuasion process, grappling with Sunetra’s profound loss from Ajit Pawar’s sudden death. Yet, practicality prevailed: local elections demand her guidance for candidates the late leader had nurtured. ‘Ajit Dada’s efforts can’t go to waste,’ Patil asserted.
Sana Malik, a party legislator, highlighted Sunetra’s grassroots connections built over two years, affirming her as the fitting successor. Regarding potential reconciliation with Sharad Pawar’s camp, Patil alluded to Ajit Pawar’s behind-the-scenes moves, evidenced by viral videos, but lamented that full clarity vanished with him.
In this evolving saga, Sunetra Pawar emerges as a stabilizing force. Her leadership will navigate electoral challenges and internal dynamics, honoring Ajit Pawar’s enduring influence. Maharashtra politics braces for shifts as she charts the course ahead.