Following the recent and tragic death of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, is emerging as a potential successor. Sources within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) indicate that senior party functionaries are strongly considering Sunetra Pawar for the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the state government.

Sunetra Pawar, 62, is currently a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. She hails from a prominent political family in Maharashtra and has been involved in social and environmental initiatives. She is the daughter of former state minister and Lok Sabha MP Padamsinh Patil. In 2010, Sunetra founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), an NGO promoting organic farming, eco-villages, and environmental conservation. Her work has earned her accolades such as the "Green Warrior Award". Since 2011, she has also been a Think Tank member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum in France. Additionally, Sunetra serves as a trustee for Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution founded by Sharad Pawar.

The discussions surrounding Sunetra's potential appointment highlight the shifting power dynamics within the NCP and could have significant implications for the future of Maharashtra's political landscape. Ajit Pawar's sudden death in a plane crash has created a vacuum in the party leadership, leading to intense deliberations about the next phase of the party's direction and government roles.

Senior NCP leaders view Sunetra as a strategic and symbolic choice to succeed her husband in both the party and the government. Some party members have met with Sunetra, urging her to take charge of the party and join the Mahayuti government. Those present included working president Praful Patel, state chief Sunil Tatkare, and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Cabinet minister and Ajit Pawar confidant Narhari Zirwal publicly backed the move.

Appointing Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister could potentially reunite the split NCP factions. Furthermore, there are considerations for her to contest the Assembly seat that her husband vacated.

Sunetra Pawar's entry into active politics came later in life compared to other members of her family. She is known for her commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment. She is also the chairperson of Baramati Textile Company and CEO of Environmental Forum of India.

The Pawar family has a long and influential history in Maharashtra politics. Sunetra now stands at the center of a delicate balance between political legacy and organizational leadership. Her potential rise to Deputy Chief Minister reflects broader calculations within the NCP and the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.