Sunetra Pawar To Be New NCP Chief and Maharashtra Dy CM? NCP MLAs To Meet CM Fadnavis After Ajit Pawar's Death

Ajit Pawar's death has left the Nationalist Congress Party facing a leadership question, with senior leaders pressing for Sunetra Pawar to step in. The Pawar family is expected to choose the successor, while the pending merger of NCP factions and the upcoming Baramati bypoll add urgency.

Political sources state that the family will take the final call on who replaces Ajit Pawar. Senior relatives are expected to meet within the next one or two days and decide the leadership plan. Party insiders say every faction is prepared to accept the name that the Pawar family finalises.

Ajit Pawar succession and Sunetra Pawar's position in NCP leadership

Pressure from within the NCP is steadily building around Sunetra Pawar. Many legislators and senior figures want Sunetra Pawar to become Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and also guide the party. NCP leaders have already placed a formal proposal before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking that Sunetra Pawar be given leadership responsibilities.

Two meetings with the Chief Minister are planned as part of this effort. One round is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, with another around noon at the Chief Minister's Varsha residence. Senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal has already reached Varsha for discussions, as the leadership plan and succession question dominate the agenda.

Ajit Pawar succession, NCP merger plan and Sunetra Pawar's growing role

Ajit Pawar's death has also created a vacuum at a delicate moment for the NCP. Talks to reunite the two party factions had gathered pace, and Ajit Pawar was central to that effort. With Ajit Pawar gone, attention has shifted to finding a successor who can handle both government responsibility and party organisation.

According to Kiran Gujar, who has known Ajit Pawar since the mid-1980s, the merger was almost sealed. Gujar told PTI that Ajit Pawar had spoken about it just five days before the fatal plane crash. Gujar said Ajit Pawar was firm about reunification and believed the merger process was complete and imminent.

Ajit Pawar succession, NCP merger timeline and political calendar

Just days before the accident, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar had discussed uniting the two NCP factions. They agreed in principle to bring both camps together. Senior leaders from each side then met to plan a roadmap. They decided that the merger would be announced immediately after the district council elections.

Preparations were on for a formal announcement on 8 February, according to party sources. That date was expected to mark a public declaration of unity. With Ajit Pawar no longer present, the same merger plan remains on the table, but the leadership face of the reunited NCP now appears open to change.

Ajit Pawar succession, Sunetra Pawar in NCP and Baramati bypoll

Sunetra Pawar currently serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, while Ajit Pawar's sons Parth Pawar and Jai Pawar are not visible in frontline electoral politics. Both sons are understood to assist in organisational work. However, party insiders say Sunetra Pawar, Parth Pawar and Jai Pawar share limited direct election experience at present.

The political calendar is adding pressure on the Pawar family and the NCP. One Deputy Chief Minister's post now lies vacant. The Baramati Assembly seat, once represented by Ajit Pawar, will face a by-election within six months. Many leaders want Sunetra Pawar to contest Baramati, lead the NCP, and also take the Deputy Chief Minister role.

Senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal have already met Sunetra Pawar to discuss the situation. NCP leader Narhari Zirwal has publicly demanded that she be made Deputy Chief Minister, and there is also talk that Sunetra Pawar could serve as interim party president. For now, all camps await the decision that the Pawar family will announce.