Sunetra Pawar as Deputy CM: A Masterstroke to Block Sharad Pawar’s NCP Takeover?

Introduction: A Widow’s Mantle or a Political Shield?

The sudden and tragic death of Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026, sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political landscape [[19]]. In its wake, a new and unexpected figure has emerged at the center of a high-stakes power game: his wife, Sunetra Pawar. Her swift appointment as Deputy Chief Minister isn’t just a historic moment—it’s widely seen as a strategic masterstroke by senior leaders of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) to consolidate their power and pre-empt any aggressive moves from Sharad Pawar’s camp [[1], [8]].

Table of Contents

• The Sunetra Pawar Deputy CM Move: What We Know
• The Shadow of Sharad Pawar and the NCP (SP) Threat
• Anatomy of a Political Preemption Strategy
• The Legacy of Ajit Pawar and the Baramati Stronghold
• Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Maharashtra’s NCP
• Sources

The Sunetra Pawar Deputy CM Move: What We Know

Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP and social worker who formally entered electoral politics in 2024, is poised to be sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister [[6], [7]]. This decision, reportedly endorsed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was not born out of mere sentimentality. Party deliberations between senior NCP (Ajit) leaders and Sunetra have been intense, focusing squarely on leadership succession and the party’s future trajectory [[2]].

This move serves a dual purpose:

1. Symbolic Continuity: It provides a direct link to Ajit Pawar’s legacy, offering stability to his loyalists and the crucial Baramati constituency.
2. Strategic Fortification: It places a trusted figure from the inner circle in a position of significant executive power, creating a formidable barrier against external challenges.

The Shadow of Sharad Pawar and the NCP (SP) Threat

The ghost of the 2023 NCP split looms large over this entire scenario [[20], [21]]. When Ajit Pawar dramatically broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena coalition, he created two distinct factions: the NCP (Ajit Pawar) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar), often abbreviated as NCP (SP) [[24]].

With Ajit gone, Sharad Pawar’s camp has been actively pushing for a merger of the two factions, seeing an opportunity to reclaim the party’s original identity and organizational strength [[4], [8]]. However, a powerful section within the Ajit Pawar faction is wary. They fear that a hasty merger would effectively mean a surrender to the SP camp, diluting their hard-won influence within the current government [[8]].

Anatomy of a Political Preemption Strategy

The appointment of Sunetra Pawar as Deputy CM is the cornerstone of a sophisticated preemption strategy. Here’s how it works:

Securing the Government’s Stake

By installing Sunetra in a key government post, the faction ensures it retains a vital seat at the cabinet table. This gives them direct leverage over policy and resources, making them an indispensable partner for the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance, rather than a group seeking re-admission into a Sharad-led NCP.

Controlling the Narrative

Sunetra Pawar, as the grieving widow and now a high-ranking minister, becomes the human face of Ajit Pawar’s political legacy. This narrative is far more powerful and sympathetic than any internal party squabble, making it difficult for the SP faction to appear as anything but opportunistic if they push too hard for a merger on their terms.

Buying Time for Consolidation

This move effectively hits the pause button on merger talks [[8]]. It forces the SP camp to negotiate with a faction that now has a strong, legitimate representative in the state’s executive, rather than a rudderless group of MLAs. This time allows the Ajit Pawar faction to solidify its internal structure and plan its next steps from a position of relative strength.

The Legacy of Ajit Pawar and the Baramati Stronghold

Any discussion of this power play must acknowledge the immense legacy of Ajit Pawar himself. He was Maharashtra’s longest-serving Deputy CM and had built an unassailable stronghold in Baramati, a seat previously held by his uncle Sharad [[19], [23]]. His control over the cooperative sector and his deep administrative experience were key pillars of his power.

Sunetra Pawar’s appointment is a direct attempt to inherit this legacy. By stepping into his official role, she is not just taking a job; she is claiming stewardship over his political estate. For the people of Baramati and Western Maharashtra, this provides a sense of continuity and reassurance during a period of profound uncertainty [[1]].

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Maharashtra’s NCP

The Sunetra Pawar Deputy CM announcement is far more than a personnel change. It is a declaration of intent from the Ajit Pawar faction. They are signaling that they are not ready to be absorbed back into their uncle’s fold without a fight and on their own terms. While the long-term goal of a unified NCP may still exist, the immediate future points towards a period of careful negotiation, consolidation, and a delicate balancing act within the ruling coalition. The coming weeks will reveal whether this bold gambit succeeds in securing their future or merely delays an inevitable reckoning.

Sources

• Rediff: Will two NCP factions merge after Ajit Pawar’s death? [[1]]
• The Quint: Sunetra Pawar set to become Maharashtra Deputy CM [[2]]
• Economic Times: Sunetra Pawar reaches Mumbai, all set to become state’s first woman Deputy CM [[4]]
• Livemint: Sunetra Pawar to be Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy CM [[7]]
• Moneycontrol: Timeline of NCP Pawar-play [[20]]
• NDTV: Maharashtra Shake-Up Was A Long Time In The Making [[21]]
• Wikipedia: Ajit Pawar [[19]]
• Times of India: The town that made Ajit Pawar witnesses his death [[23]]