Mumbai, February 26 (NationPress) In a pivotal shift in the political landscape, Sunetra Pawar has been formally elected as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) during the party's national executive meeting held in the city.

Praful Patel, the Party Working President, nominated Sunetra Pawar and announced her election was unanimous. Sunil Tatkare, President of the Maharashtra unit, supported her nomination and praised her new role.

The members of the national executive raised their hands to demonstrate their trust and confidence in Sunetra Pawar’s leadership.

Both Patel and Tatkare paid respects to the late former NCP national president and ex-Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, 2026.

Sunetra Pawar steps into this role succeeding her late husband, Ajit Pawar, who held the position until his untimely death. She officially took office on February 26 following a collective decision made by the party’s MLAs and senior leaders.

On January 31, she was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, making history as the first woman to occupy this role in Maharashtra. Prior to this, she was unanimously chosen as the leader of the NCP Legislative Party, stepping up during a sudden leadership void.

Alongside her responsibilities within the party, Sunetra Pawar is a member of the Maharashtra Cabinet under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, managing essential portfolios such as State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Waqf.

This swift rise in her political career represents a significant change for Sunetra Pawar, who transitioned from a Rajya Sabha MP to the pinnacle of state and party leadership in just a few weeks, showcasing the party’s faith in her capabilities.

The elevation of Sunetra Pawar to the national presidency of the NCP signifies a dramatic shift from her previously behind-the-scenes role to one of active political leadership.

For many years, Sunetra Pawar was primarily recognized as a stabilizing force behind Ajit Pawar. While he navigated the intense Maharashtra political arena, she dedicated herself to social work in Baramati, overseeing the Vidya Pratishthan educational institutions and supporting environmental efforts such as the Environmental Forum of India.

She was perceived as a quiet yet influential figure, deeply connected to grassroots activists, though rarely seen as the public representative of the party.

This changed in mid-2024 when she ventured into active electoral politics by contesting the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. Although she faced initial challenges, her later election to the Rajya Sabha indicated the party’s aim to enhance her role within both the organization and the national political sphere.