'Carry forward Ajit Pawar's dream': PM Modi gives big message to new Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Sunetra Pawar on taking oath as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sunetra Pawar on Saturday evening. Earlier, she was elected the leader of the NCP legislative party.

What did PM Modi say?

"Heartiest congratulations to Sunetra Pawar on beginning her tenure as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. She is the first woman to hold this position. I am confident that she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfill the dreams of the late Ajitdada Pawar," PM Modi posted on social media platform X.

What happenned before the oath taking ceremony?

Sunetra Pawar's name was proposed as the leader of the NCP legislative party by senior leader Dilip Walse Patil and supported by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. The legislative party meeting was held at the office of the late Ajit Pawar on the ground floor of the Vidhan Bhavan complex in South Mumbai.

During the meeting, Sunetra Pawar offered floral tributes to a photograph of her late husband. Her younger son, Jay, was also present on the occasion. Several ministers and MLAs appeared emotional while entering the Vidhan Bhavan complex.

What was Sunetra Pawar's previous political experience?

Sunetra Pawar contested the Lok Sabha elections from Baramati in 2024, but was defeated by her sister-in-law and sitting NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule. Following this, Sunetra Pawar was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Ajit Pawar, who was the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and four others died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28.