Mumbai, Jan 30 (NationPress) Maharashtra is on the brink of making history as the first female Deputy Chief Minister, with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) gearing up to officially elect Sunetra Pawar as its new legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister during a meeting scheduled for Saturday at 2 PM.

This pivotal event follows the tragic and unexpected passing of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash on Wednesday.

Sunetra Pawar is set to take her oath later in the day at Lok Bhavan.

The state NCP chief, Sunil Tatkare, after a meeting with party working president Praful Patel, informed the media, “The meeting will be convened on Saturday to elect a new leader.”

NCP has opted for the legislature party meeting on January 31 after Sunetra Pawar agreed to take on the new role. She is currently serving as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

On Saturday morning, Sunetra Pawar, accompanied by her son Parth, will travel from Baramati to Mumbai for the meeting.

Once elected, Sunil Tatkare will send a formal request to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to include her in the state cabinet as Deputy Chief Minister.

A letter has been dispatched to all party members, including 40 assembly representatives and nine council members, urging them to attend the legislative party meeting at Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday.

On Friday morning, a senior NCP delegation met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss various matters, including the appointment of a new legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister following the sudden loss of Ajit Pawar.

The delegation consisted of Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, and former minister Dhananjay Munde. This comes in light of a notable leadership void within the NCP and the Mahayuti government.

After the meeting, Praful Patel shared with the media, “We talked about electing a new legislative party leader and Deputy Chief Minister. The legislative party meeting will be held to select a new leader.”

He added, “We have notified Fadnavis that decisions regarding cabinet roles and leadership must be made swiftly. We will finalize our position after consulting with all party MLAs.”

The party aims to determine the future course of action while considering the sentiments of its legislators, office bearers, and supporters.

Patel indicated that the party has not yet made any formal suggestions about appointing the late Ajit Pawar’s wife and MP Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister.

“We did not discuss Sunetra Pawar’s name with the Chief Minister today; this remains a matter for the party,” he stated. “The family is still mourning and performing final rites. We plan to speak with Sunetra Pawar after these rituals are completed.”

Patel asserted that any decision regarding the Deputy CM position would be influenced by the views of the party's legislators. He further mentioned, “We have offered our support to Sunetra Pawar throughout this crisis and beyond.”

Chhagan Bhujbal, another NCP minister, emphasized, “The NCP's legislative party meeting scheduled for Saturday will see Sunetra Pawar being appointed as its leader. Many leaders are in favor of her becoming Deputy CM.”

“Senior leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare are working on the mourning period's technicalities and other important details, which can vary,” said Bhujbal.

Anil Bhaidas Patil, the NCP chief whip, noted that the party leadership has yet to confirm the time and date for its legislators' meeting.

After Ajit Pawar's funeral in Baramati, NCP minister Narhari Zirwal told reporters that Sunetra Pawar should be appointed as the next Deputy Chief Minister.

“This would ensure the continuation of the Pawar family's political legacy,” he stated.