Who is Sunetra Pawar? The New Face of NCP's Leadership

Sunetra Pawar Takes Charge as NCP National President

Mumbai: In a pivotal moment for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sunetra Pawar has been elected as the National President during the party's national executive meeting.

Praful Patel, the Working President of the party, put forth Sunetra Pawar's name, which was met with unanimous support from the members present. Sunil Tatkare, the President of the Maharashtra unit, also endorsed her candidacy, celebrating her new role.

The national executive members showed their trust in her leadership by raising their hands in approval.

Both Patel and Tatkare honored the memory of Ajit Pawar, the former NCP president and ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash on January 28, 2026.

Sunetra Pawar takes over the position from her late husband, who held the role until his untimely death. She officially began her term on February 26, following a unanimous decision by party MLAs and senior leaders.

On January 31, she made history by being sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister, becoming the first woman to achieve this milestone in Maharashtra. Prior to this, she was elected as the leader of the NCP Legislative Party, filling the leadership void left by her husband's passing.

In her capacity as a leader, Sunetra Pawar also holds significant portfolios in the Maharashtra Cabinet, including State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Waqf, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This swift rise in political stature illustrates a significant transformation for Sunetra Pawar, who has moved from being a Rajya Sabha MP to a prominent figure in both state and party leadership in just a few weeks, showcasing the party's faith in her capabilities.

Her elevation to the presidency of the NCP signifies a remarkable transition from a largely supportive role to a central figure in political leadership.

For many years, Sunetra Pawar was recognized as a stabilizing influence behind Ajit Pawar, focusing on social initiatives in Baramati while he navigated the complexities of Maharashtra politics. She managed educational institutions under Vidya Pratishthan and supported environmental causes like the Environmental Forum of India.

Although she was a quiet yet impactful presence, she rarely took the spotlight as the party's public representative.

This changed in mid-2024 when she ventured into active electoral politics by contesting for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. Despite an initial setback, her subsequent election to the Rajya Sabha marked a clear intention from the party to enhance her role within the organization and the national political landscape.