Sunetra Pawar, wife of deceased NCP leader Ajit Pawar, is likely to become the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Nationalist Congress Party is going to hold its Legislature Party meeting at 2 p.m. on Saturday (January 31, 2026). The party will choose its Legislature Party leader in that meeting. A small swearing-in ceremony is likely to happen thereafter, top sources from NCP indicated to The Hindu on Friday (January 30, 2026).
“There is no question of any other name. We are all unanimous that Sunetra Pawar will have to keep aside her grief and accept the position of Legislature Party. We will inform the Chief Minister thereafter. And the swearing-in ceremony for the position of the Deputy Chief Minister will take place,” Chhagan Bhujbal, senior NCP leader and Cabinet Minister told The Hindu in Mumbai.
