Mumbai: The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has triggered intense political churn within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with growing voices urging his wife, Sunetra Pawar, to assume a more prominent role in state politics.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the party’s future direction, Maharashtra’s Food and Drugs Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal publicly indicated that grassroots sentiment favours Sunetra Pawar’s active participation in governance. Speaking after Ajit Pawar’s final rites, Zirwal said party workers and supporters believe that “vahini” should guide the organisation during this transitional phase.
Sunetra Pawar, who currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, has so far maintained a low political profile within the state. However, recent developments suggest mounting pressure from senior leadership for her to take on a decisive role.
According to political sources, several influential figures within the NCP—including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde, and Sunil Tatkare—have held discussions with Sunetra Pawar to persuade her to lead the party at the national level. There is also speculation that she could enter electoral politics by contesting from the Baramati Assembly seat, long considered the Pawar family’s political stronghold.
The NCP has witnessed major upheavals in recent years, most notably the organisational split in mid-2023 when Ajit Pawar aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. That realignment resulted in his faction being officially recognised and retaining the party’s election symbol.
Despite the earlier divide, political observers note signs of renewed coordination between the two rival groups, particularly after they jointly contested local body elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. These developments have fuelled fresh speculation about a possible reunion in the future.
At present, the NCP remains a key partner in the ruling Mahayuti alliance alongside the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The coalition enjoys a commanding presence in the Maharashtra Assembly, reinforcing its grip on power even as internal equations within the NCP continue to evolve.
