"Confident Sunetra Pawar will work for Maharashtra's development": Union Minister Athawale

Speaking with ANI, Ramdas Athawale expressed confidence in her to work for the development of the state.

"Sunetra Pawar has taken oath as the first woman Deputy CM of the state...I am confident that she will continue to work for the development of the state, as late Ajit Pawar used to do," Athawale said.

Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, said, "Sunetra Pawar is active in politics, and she has been continuously working for the social causes...She will work for the development of the state."

Sunetra Pawar, who was chosen as the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party today after the tragic demise of her husband Ajit Pawar, took oath as the state's Deputy CM at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai amid chants of 'Ajit dada amar rahe'.

Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office to Sunetra Pawar in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

She stepped into fill the post that became vacant following the tragic demise of NCP chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati. With this, Sunetra Pawar becomes the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Sunetra Pawar has been allocated the portfolios of State Excise Duty, Sports and Youth Affairs and Minorities Development and Aukaf.

Notably, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis will now hold the portfolios of Planning and Finance, which were previously assigned to the late Ajit Pawar, former Deputy CM of Maharashtra.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Sunetra Pawar, in a post on X, said, "Respected Ajitdada has given the mantra of living one's entire life for farmers, labourers, women, youth, and deprived sections. Today, carrying forward the legacy of their thoughts with unwavering loyalty to the principles of 'Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar', my heart is truly overflowing as I accept the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister position with a sense of duty."

Sunetra Pawar is known for her work in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment. As a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, she has emerged as a driving force behind several initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable progress.

Ajit Pawar passed away on Wednesday when a chartered plane carrying him crashed-landed in Baramati. Among the deceased were his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots. (ANI)