Who is Sunetra Pawar? Maharashtra welcomes its first woman Deputy Chief Minister

The oath of office and secrecy was administered by the Governor at a ceremonial event held at Raj Bhavan.

Her appointment comes days after the post fell vacant following the tragic death of her husband, senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati.

Although Sunetra Pawar is not currently a member of either house of the Maharashtra legislature, the Baramati Assembly seat in Pune district has become vacant after Ajit Pawar’s passing, opening the possibility for her induction into the state legislature.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations on X, stating: "Best wishes to Sunetra Pawar Ji as she begins her tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the first woman to hold this responsibility. I am confident she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfil the vision of the late Ajitdada Pawar."

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and senior leaders from both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party.