NCP (SP) Maharashtra unit president Shashikant Shinde on Saturday said his party chief Sharad Pawar and other leaders had no prior knowledge about the decision that NCP's Sunetra Pawar would take oath as the state Deputy Chief Minister. Sunetra Pawar (62), wife of Ajit Pawar who died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, was on Saturday sworn in as the first woman deputy CM of Maharashtra. According to him, in the three months prior to Ajit Pawar’s January 17 meeting with Sharad Pawar, eight to ten meetings had been held. This position was also conveyed to Sharad Pawar,” he said. “...Ajitdada said he had discussed the matter with the state president and others, and that he has taken the decision,” Shinde said.

Source: The Telegraph January 31, 2026 16:58 UTC