Sunetra Pawar For NCP Chief? Praful Patel, Chaggan Bhujbal Meet Ajit Pawar's Wife

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 16:47 IST

Ajit Pawar's ist Congress Party (NCP) is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra along with the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Known affectionately across Maharashtra as 'Vahini' (sister-in-law), Sunetra Pawar is speculated to take charge of NCP following her husband Ajit Pawar's demise.

Amid the speculations on who is going to take over as the ist Congress Party (NCP) chief following the demise of Ajit Pawar, it is being speculated that his wife — Sunetra Pawar — is likely to take charge of the party. Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha member.

According to the sources, it is learnt that NCP leaders, Chaggan Bhujbal and Praful Patel, met Sunetra Pawar and are also believed to be backing her as the national president of the ‘real’ NCP.

Sunetra Pawar is likely to contest from the seat vacated by Ajit Pawar, several reports suggested.

Earlier in the day, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra FDA minister Narhari Zirwal on Thursday said that the public wants late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, to be brought into the state ministry.

ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar Death: Who Will Be The Maratha Leader’s Political Successor?

When asked about the NCP’s future after Ajit Pawar’s death, Zirwal said that people want “vahini" (sister-in-law, referring to Sunetra Pawar) to be included in the ministry. “We will talk to the leadership about it and take a decision," Zirwal, who was a close confidant of Ajit Pawar, said after the leader’s funeral in Baramati.

Responding to a question on the merger of the two NCP groups, Zirwal said, “The two factions are already together. Everyone has realised that there is no point in remaining scattered and have to be together."

Ajit Pawar’s ist Congress Party (NCP) is currently a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, along with the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Ajit Pawar’s Demise

NCP chief Ajit Pawar died in a chartered plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Baramati on Wednesday, sending shockwaves across the entire nation. Pawar was on his way to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections. Pawar and four others were killed in the crash.

In July 2023, Ajit Pawar had joined the then Eknath Shinde-led state government, triggering a split in the NCP founded by his uncle Sharad Pawar.

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