'Even in grief, she felt...': Why did Sunetra Pawar decide to take oath as Maha Dy CM just days after husband Ajit Pawar's unexpected death?

• Sunetra Pawar to become Maharashtra deputy CM after Ajit Pawar's death
• She joined politics to continue Ajit Pawar's legacy despite initial reluctance.
• NCP may seek merger talks after focusing on stability with Sunetra's oath

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Even as Maharashtra prepares for Sunetra Pawar’s oath-taking as deputy chief minister on Saturday, the speed of the political transition, coming just days after the sudden death of her husband, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar, has sparked widespread speculation within political circles.

Sources in the NCP told News18 that Sunetra Pawar was initially reluctant to step into active politics so soon after the tragedy. However, she eventually agreed, albeit “with a heavy heart", after consultations with several leaders and loyalists who had stood by Ajit Pawar through his political journey. According to party insiders, the decision was taken in what they described as the larger interest of the party and to ensure continuity of Ajit Pawar’s political legacy.

Ajit Pawar, who served as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28. Four others were also killed in the accident.

The late leader had earlier split the NCP, forming a separate faction that aligned with the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) remained in the Opposition alongside the Sena (UBT) and Congress.

Following his death, party sources say Sunetra Pawar felt compelled to step in. “When Ajit Pawar rebelled, he was alone…Sunetra Pawar, as a wife, considered it her duty to protect the party that Ajit Pawar had built through years of hard work. Even in grief, she felt it was her responsibility to carry forward her husband’s work," sources said.

They added that the decision was deeply emotional for her. “Initially, Sunetra Pawar was not ready for this. But she felt that if she did not step in, Ajit Pawar’s dream would remain incomplete…Ajit Pawar’s vision would be left unfulfilled. With a heavy heart, she agreed," the sources said.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar clarified on Saturday that there had been no discussion with Sunetra Pawar regarding her swearing-in. However, he underlined that leaders such as Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare belonged to Ajit Pawar’s faction and were entitled to take decisions independently.

Sharad Pawar also reiterated that reunifying the two factions of the NCP had been a long-standing ambition of Ajit Pawar. “It was Ajit Dada’s wish that the two NCP factions should come together. We also desire that his wish be fulfilled…The talks were positive…Ajit Pawar wanted to announce the merger on February 12," he said.

According to sources, the Pawar family chose to prioritise organisational stability before opening formal merger talks. “Ajit Pawar’s family decided to first focus on the party and then talk about a merger. That is why Sunetra Pawar and her family decided to go ahead with the oath-taking ceremony first. Reports suggest that they will now move forward with merger talks with other parties," the sources said.