In the wake of the tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, 2026, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, is being considered as the ideal choice to fill the void, potentially providing a smooth transition in Maharashtra's political landscape. Sources indicate that she is set to be sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. If appointed, Sunetra Pawar would be the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra's history.

Sunetra Pawar currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Maharashtra for the NCP. She comes from a politically active family; her father, Padamsinh Patil, was a state minister and Lok Sabha MP. While she entered active politics more recently, she has built a public profile through social work, environmental advocacy, and administrative roles.

Before entering electoral politics, Sunetra gained administrative experience by transforming Katewadi into a model eco-village. Her efforts focused on sanitation, biogas power generation, and sewage treatment technology, serving as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the state. In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI) to promote sustainable practices like organic farming and water resource management. She also serves as chairperson of the Baramati Textile Company and is a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution.

Sunetra Pawar contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramati but was defeated by her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule. Shortly after, she was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, reinforcing her position in the party.

Senior party leaders, including Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, have rallied behind Sunetra Pawar, viewing her as a unifying figure capable of carrying forward her late husband's legacy while keeping the party organization intact. She is affectionately called "Vahini" by supporters.

NCP has scheduled a meeting to formally elect Sunetra Pawar as the leader of the party. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated no objection to the oath-taking ceremony, provided the party finalizes its decision.

If appointed as Deputy CM, Sunetra Pawar would need to resign from the Rajya Sabha and get elected to either house of the state legislature. The Baramati assembly seat has fallen vacant after Ajit Pawar's death. While it is expected that Sunetra Pawar will retain the portfolios of Excise and Sports, which were previously held by Ajit Pawar, the Finance Ministry will be temporarily taken over by Chief Minister Fadnavis.

This move comes amid talks of a potential merger of both factions of the NCP. Sunetra Pawar's appointment is seen as a strategic step to ensure the NCP remains a strong force in the Mahayuti government.