Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 31 : Amid heavy hearts and chants of 'Ajit dada amar rahe', the widow of late Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar, stepped into fill the vacant post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister as she took oath of office at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office to Sunetra Pawar in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
The newly appointed Deputy CM 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, Sunita Pawar remembered her late husband, Ajit Pawar, and promised to carry forward his vision while taking on her new responsibilities in the state government.
In a post shared on X, Sunetra Pawar said Ajit Pawar's life offered guiding principles for farmers, workers, women, youth and marginalised communities. She described her oath as Deputy Chief Minister as a moment filled with duty, emotion and commitment to Maharashtra's social ideals.
"Respected Ajit Dada gave a guiding principle of life for farmers, workers, women, youth, and the marginalised throughout his life. Today, while taking on the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister with a sense of duty, staying committed to the ideals of 'Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar' and carrying forward his legacy of thoughts, my heart is truly overwhelmed," she wrote.
Sunetra Pawar also acknowledged the personal loss she continues to face after Ajit Pawar's untimely demise, calling it a "mountain of sorrow", but said the values he instilled in her remain her strength in public life.
"Although Dada's untimely departure has brought a mountain of sorrow upon my mind, the sense of duty, strength of struggle, and commitment to the people that he taught me remain my true support. I will continue to work with unwavering honesty to build the just, equal, and developed Maharashtra that he dreamed of," Sunetra Pawar further wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the state's people and fulfil Ajit Pawar's vision.
Best wishes to Sunetra Pawar Ji as she begins her tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the first woman to hold this responsibility. I am confident she will work tirelessly for the welfare of the people of the state and fulfil the vision of the late Ajitdada Pawar," PM Modi said.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed confidence that Sunetra Pawar will carry forward Ajit Pawar's legacy.
"The context is difficult... But, the decision taken by Smt. Sunetra Pawar in the interest of Maharashtra with such boldness and grace is commendable, daring, and underscores her commitment. This is not an occasion to extend congratulations," he said in a post on X.
"But, I am confident that she will ably carry forward Ajitdada's legacy. The state has gained its first woman Deputy Chief Minister, and I am sure her tenure will be successful. As the BJP and Mahayuti government, in this difficult time, we stand firmly with the family of Ajitdada Pawar," he added.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, "I am fully confident that Sunetat'ai will carry forward the legacy of public welfare of the late Ajitdada with the same strength."
Senior NCP leader and state Minister Chhagan Bhujbal expressed hope that a woman would one day also become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Speaking to ANI, Bhujbal said, "Sunetra Pawar has taken oath as the first woman Deputy CM of the state. I also wish that a woman should become the CM of the state."
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchand Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar said, "I am delighted that Hon. Sunetrabai has taken the oath as the state's first female Deputy Chief Minister. Truth be told, no one can truly take Hon. Ajitdada's place, but at least in the form of Sunetrabai, we can see Ajitdada there somehow!" "
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "We are confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, and Eknath Shinde, she will perform exceptionally well and carry forward Ajit Pawar's legacy. We commend her for putting the people of Maharashtra above her personal sorrow."
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and many others also congratulated Sunetra Pawar.
She was also elected as NCP Legislative Party Leader earlier today.
Sunetra Pawar is known for her work in sustainable development, environmental conservation, and rural empowerment. A Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, she has emerged as a driving force behind several initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable progress.
In 2010, she founded the Environmental Forum of India (EFOI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to raising environmental awareness and fostering eco-conscious communities. She has led extensive grassroots campaigns focusing on biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species, water resource management, and drought mitigation.
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.