Sunetra Pawar oath-taking highlights: NCP leader gets three portfolios after taking oath as dy CM

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking LIVE: NCP Maharashtra state president Sunil Tatkare on Saturday said the party has convened a meeting of its legislature party in which Sunetra Pawar will be elected as its leader.

“We have convened a meeting of legislative party in which Sunetra Pawar would be elected as our leader,” Tatkare said.

Responding to allegations that Sunetra Pawar is being elevated to the deputy chief minister’s post in haste, Tatkare said the decision was taken collectively. “The decision was taken by us collectively considering the sentiments in the party and among the people,” he said.

On NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s remarks that merger discussions had taken place in Ajit Pawar’s presence in January, Tatkare said such talks had indeed occurred. “Ajit Pawar had held discussions with NCP (SP) leaders on contesting local elections together. He himself had told it to the mediapersons after the meeting,” he said.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: Reacting to NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar’s remarks on reports of Sunetra Pawar being considered for the deputy chief minister’s post, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday said the decision would be taken by the NCP, while suggesting there may also have been pressure from the BJP.

“Decision will be made by their (NCP) side, there must have been pressure by BJP too because they are together in Maha Yuti Govt there. So, if Sunetra ji shoulder this responsibility, she would be the first woman Deputy CM in Maharashtra. I welcome this. I also hope that in her new role, she will contribute towards the vision, thinking and commitment of Ajit Pawar for Maharashtra and take Maharashtra towards progress,” she said, reported ANI.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: On reports that Sunetra Pawar will take oath as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra today after Ajit Pawar's death, NCP MLA Anil Patil told ANI, "Our efforts are that Sunetra Pawar should handle the leadership of the entire party in the state, as well as the nation."

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil on Saturday questioned the hurry to fill the Deputy Chief Minister post in Maharashtra, noting that it “is not a constitutional post” and had only been vacant for three days following Ajit Pawar’s demise, reported ANI.

Patil also described discussions around Sunetra Pawar potentially becoming Deputy CM as an “internal matter” for the NCP. He expressed concern over the party’s decision-making process and possible external influences following the death of the 66-year-old Pawar.

Speaking to ANI in Nagpur, Patil said: “This is a very serious issue. Who is making the decisions? It's also important to see who was behind the scenes, influencing and forcing the decisions. There are also reports that the BJP is making decisions on behalf of the NCP, and if the family wasn't even given a chance to decide on the next step, that's also something to consider.”

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel visited the Mumbai residence of the late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to meet Sunetra Pawar.

Earlier, NCP MLA Sana Malik was also seen leaving the residence after meeting Sunetra Pawar.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: Late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth Pawar, arrived at the residence of NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar in Baramati on Saturday, a video shared by ANi showed. The visit comes after Sharad Pawar claimed that both NCP factions were engaged in "merger talks."

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar has reached Baramati, reportedly to meet NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, amid ongoing party deliberations over the deputy chief minister post following Ajit Pawar’s death.

Meanwhile, the NCP is scheduled to hold a meeting later in the afternoon around 2pm, after which the party is expected to submit a name for the deputy CM post.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: NCP Maharashtra state president Sunil Tatkare on Saturday declined to comment on NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s remarks that he had no information about Sunetra Pawar being considered for the post of Maharashtra deputy chief minister.

Speaking to reporters, Tatkare said the final call on the deputy CM post, which fell vacant after Ajit Pawar’s death, would be taken by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. “I don't have anything to say on this matter right now. We have a meeting, and after the meeting, we will discuss all these issues,” he said.

He added that the party has scheduled a meeting later in the afternoon, following which NCP leaders will meet the chief minister. “After the meeting with the Chief Minister, we will present our views to him, and then the Chief Minister will make a decision on it. We will discuss all these things later,” Tatkare said.

The NCP is expected to finalise and submit a name for the deputy CM post after the meeting. Earlier, Sharad Pawar said he had no information about Sunetra Pawar’s name being proposed for the position.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking live updates: Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar has arrived in Baramati and is expected to meet NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar shortly, amid ongoing political developments following Ajit Pawar’s death.

This comes hours after Sharad Pawar addressed a press conference in Baramati and claimed that Ajit wanted merger of the two NCP factions, but it was halted due to his sudden demise in plane crash.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Dismissing speculation over a possible political realignment, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said there was no discussion on joining the NDA even if the two NCP factions were to merge.

When asked whether he would consider being part of the NDA in the event of a merger, Sharad Pawar told reporters, “This is all going on your side (media), there is nothing like that here.”

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Reacting to reports that Sunetra Pawar may be sworn in as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister following Ajit Pawar’s death, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi on Saturday said the decision rests with the Nationalist Congress Party.

“A very unfortunate incident happened. Late Ajit Pawar is no longer with us, but I am not in a position to comment on who will become the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; this is an internal matter of the NCP. BJP is an ally of NCP. The right and appropriate decision will be taken,” she said, reported ANI.

A purported video has surfaced showing NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar holding a meeting with NCP chief and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar at Govindbaug on January 17, days before Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash, reported PTI news agency.

The visuals have emerged after Sharad Pawar renewed talk of a possible merger, saying Ajit Pawar had wanted the two NCP factions to come together before his death.

HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Reacting to reports that Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra deputy chief minister, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday distanced his faction from the decision, saying it was taken by the other side.

Speaking in Baramati, Sharad Pawar said, “It was their responsibility; we are different," reported PTI.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Speaking in Baramati after Ajit Pawar’s death, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar paid tribute to his nephew, calling him a people-focused and hardworking leader.

“Ajit Pawar was a capable and committed leader who truly worked for the people. He would thoroughly understand public issues and always worked to ensure that people received justice," he added.

Sharad Pawar said that people of Baramati have always stood by him, and that Ajit never fell short when it came to his work and responsibilities.

“His passing away has deeply shocked all of us. The situation that has arisen after his demise calls upon us to move forward with strength. We must work to reduce the suffering of the people and continue the approach and values with which he served,” Sharad Pawar said.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: NCP MLA Sana Malik was talking about Sunetra Pawar's probable swearing-in as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, when she said, “All MLAs have been called to the Vidhan Bhavan today. We have not been told the reason, but what we have come to know is that the purpose of the meeting is to push forward Sunetra Vahini's (Sunetra Pawar) name for Leader of the Legislative Party,” ANI news agency reported.

Reflecting on Sunetra Pawar's political acumen, Malik said, “She is a person who also has great political knowledge. She has also played a very active role in social work in Baramati. NCP cadre accepts her.”

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Following Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in a plane crash, the Nationalist Congress Party is moving quickly to finalise new leadership in Maharashtra, with Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar emerging as the top choice for deputy chief minister.

1. Senior party leaders said Sunetra Pawar is expected to be sworn in on Saturday, which would make her the first woman to hold the deputy CM post in the state. She is likely to first be elected leader of the NCP legislature party and then take oath later the same day.

2. An NCP legislature party meeting of around 40 MLAs is scheduled at Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan at 2 pm to formally elect a new leader. Party functionaries said the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at Lok Bhavan around 5 pm .

3. Sunetra Pawar, 62, entered the Rajya Sabha in June 2024 after contesting the Lok Sabha elections that year. She is currently not a member of the Maharashtra legislature, which means she will need to either win a bypoll or enter the Legislative Council within the stipulated period. The Baramati assembly seat, earlier represented by Ajit Pawar, is also due for a bypoll within six months.

4. It is still unclear whether she will also take charge of the key portfolios handled by Ajit Pawar, including the finance department.

5. Food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed that the party has backed her name for both legislature party leader and deputy chief minister.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday reacted to the reports about NCP’s decision to give deputy chief minister’s post to Sunetra Pawar. He said, “We are standing by the family of Ajit Pawar and NCP.”

“The decision will be taken by the NCP," Fadnavis added.

Sunetra Pawar oath-taking ceremony live updates: When Sharad Pawar was asked if Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in indicated haste, he said, “I don't know if there's haste,” adding that the demand was “possibly from within their party.”

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Sharad Pawar said his late nephew Ajit Pawar had pushed for a reunion of the two NCP factions and that talks had progressed.

"Now we feel his wish should be fulfilled. Ajit Pawar, Shashikant Shinde and Jayant Patil had initiated the talks about the merger of the two factions. Even the merger date had been fixed - it was scheduled on the 12th (February). Unfortunately, Ajit left us before that," he said during Baramati presser.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Addressing a press conference in Baramati, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar said he learned about the reported deputy chief minister swearing-in only through media reports and indicated the decision was likely taken by leaders from the other faction.

"We don't know about the swearing-in. We got to know about it through the news. I have no idea about the swearing-in," he said, when asked if anyone from the Pawar family would be attending the ceremony.

He added that the move may have been decided by senior party leaders. "Some people like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare took the initiative. These people might have decided something," he said.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony live updates: Ajit Pawar’s uncle and chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), Sharad Pawar, said he was not aware of the reported plan to appoint Sunetra Pawar as deputy chief minister.

He also confirmed that discussions had been underway regarding a reunification of the two NCP factions. Pawar said there were talks on merging the factions and that Ajit Pawar believed the merger should take place on February 12.