Sunetra Pawar is Maharashtra Deputy CM: Sharad Pawar’s Shocking ‘Not in Loop’ Admission Sparks Political Firestorm

Sunetra is Maharashtra deputy CM; Sharad Pawar says not in loop

The political landscape of Maharashtra has been thrown into a state of high drama following the swearing-in of Sunetra Pawar as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister. The event itself was historic—making her the first woman to hold the post—but the real shockwave came from an unexpected source: her own uncle, NCP founder Sharad Pawar, who declared he was completely “not in loop” about the decision [[9]].

This unprecedented public admission from one of India’s most astute political strategists has sent ripples through the ruling Mahayuti alliance and raised serious questions about the internal dynamics of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the wake of Ajit Pawar’s tragic death. How did this happen, and what does it mean for Maharashtra’s fragile political equilibrium?

Table of Contents

A Historic Oath and a Sudden Vacuum

On January 31, 2026, Sunetra Pawar, a sitting MP and the widow of former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, took the oath of office, stepping directly into her late husband’s formidable shoes [[1]]. This move was widely seen as an effort by the NCP faction loyal to Ajit Pawar to maintain its clout within the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti alliance, especially after his sudden demise in a plane crash just days prior [[6]].

Her appointment was historic, marking her as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra [[5]]. The official bulletin confirmed her acceptance of the proposal, signaling a swift transition of power to preserve stability [[3]]. For many, it was a poignant moment, symbolized by her emotional declaration, “Ajit Dada amar rahe” (Ajit Dada lives forever) during the ceremony [[7]].

The Bombshell: Sharad Pawar’s ‘Not in Loop’ Statement

Just as the dust seemed to settle on this historic appointment, veteran leader Sharad Pawar dropped a political bombshell. In a clear and public statement, he distanced himself from the entire episode, saying, “I have no information” regarding the decision to appoint his niece-in-law as Deputy CM [[11]]. He further clarified that the move was an “internal decision” of the other faction, confirming a deep and public rift within the Pawar family and the NCP [[9]].

This wasn’t just a casual remark; it was a stark admission of being sidelined from a critical decision concerning his own family and party. His statement that the Pawar family was not consulted about Sunetra stepping into this political role adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation [[13]]. It signals a definitive break between the two main factions of the NCP—one led by the late Ajit Pawar and now his wife, and the other by the party’s founder, Sharad Pawar.

Decoding the Political Chessboard

To understand this dramatic turn, one must look at the broader context of Maharashtra’s volatile politics. The state has been a theatre of shifting alliances, with the current Mahayuti government—a coalition of the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—having recently secured a decisive victory in the 2026 civic polls [[19]].

However, cracks have begun to appear. The recent crisis over the BMC Mayor’s post highlighted the underlying tensions within the alliance [[22]]. In this environment, the sudden death of Ajit Pawar, a key pillar of the coalition, created a massive power vacuum [[23]]. The swift appointment of Sunetra Pawar appears to be a strategic move by the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction to:

  1. Assert Continuity: Demonstrate that the faction remains a stable and powerful entity capable of leadership.
  2. Secure Alliance Quota: Ensure they retain their share of ministerial power and influence within the Mahayuti government.
  3. Pre-empt a Takeover: Prevent any attempt by either the BJP or the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction from absorbing their political base.

Sharad Pawar’s public disavowal, however, complicates this strategy. It effectively delegitimizes the move in the eyes of his own supporters and creates uncertainty about the future of the NCP as a whole.

What This Means for Maharashtra’s Future

The immediate consequence is a period of intense political instability. The ruling alliance, while still holding a majority, now has a significant internal fracture. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Sunetra Pawar, a political novice in executive roles, can command the same authority and manage the complex web of relationships that her husband did.

For the citizens of Maharashtra, this internal drama could translate into policy paralysis or delayed decision-making on critical issues like infrastructure, agriculture, and urban development. The focus of the government may shift from governance to managing its own internal contradictions.

Furthermore, this event sets a unique precedent in Indian politics—of a spouse directly succeeding a powerful leader in a top executive role. Its success or failure will be closely watched across the country. For more on how political dynasties shape Indian democracy, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-political-dynasties].

Conclusion: A Family and a Party at a Crossroads

The story of Sunetra Pawar Maharashtra Deputy CM is far more than a simple succession. It’s a high-stakes drama of family loyalty, political ambition, and institutional survival. Sharad Pawar’s candid admission of being “not in loop” has laid bare a schism that could redefine the NCP and, by extension, the balance of power in Maharashtra. As Sunetra Pawar navigates her new role, she will be under immense pressure to prove her mettle not just as a leader, but as a unifying force in a deeply divided political landscape.

Sources

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