Sharad Pawar says unaware of Sunetra’s Dy CM oath
In Baramati, Sharad Pawar said late nephew Ajit wanted NCP unity, expressing optimism about reuniting factions soon ahead
Amid intense political speculation in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday firmly distanced himself from reports that Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, would be sworn in as the state’s deputy chief minister. Speaking at a press conference in Baramati on January 31, the veteran leader said he had “no idea” about such a development and learned about it only through media reports.
Responding to questions on whether anyone from the Pawar family would attend the proposed swearing-in ceremony, Sharad Pawar made his position clear. “We didn’t know about the swearing-in.
Sharad Pawar stressed that there had been no discussions with him on the issue and suggested that the decision, if taken, was entirely internal to the ruling faction of the NCP. “I am not aware of the swearing-in. I didn’t even know that it was scheduled for today. Her party may have made the decision,” he said.
Referring to the names being mentioned in connection with the move, Pawar said, “The names of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare came up, and it is learnt that they took the initiative. They might have taken a decision internally within the party.” He reiterated that he was neither consulted nor informed at any stage.
The NCP (SP) chief further said that the ruling faction may have felt the need to fill the post left vacant after Ajit Pawar’s untimely death. “They may have felt that someone should take up the post after Ajit Pawar’s death,” he said, carefully avoiding direct criticism while making it clear that the decision did not involve him or his party.
Sources in the NCP had indicated on Friday that Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar was likely to be sworn in as deputy chief minister on Saturday, replacing her late husband in the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet. Following Ajit Pawar’s death in the January 28 air crash in Baramati, a section of NCP leaders had openly demanded that Sunetra Pawar be given the post held by her husband, citing continuity and respect for his political legacy.
Ajit Pawar’s death has cast a long shadow over Maharashtra’s political landscape, and Sharad Pawar acknowledged the emotional and political vacuum it has created. Speaking candidly, he said that his late nephew’s deepest wish was to see the Nationalist Congress Party united once again.
He revealed that talks aimed at uniting the two factions had been underway for months before the tragic accident. According to him, Ajit Pawar and senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil had been leading the discussions for the past four months. “Ajit and Jayant Patil were holding talks and guiding the process, but the unfortunate crash has stalled everything,” he said.
Expressing a note of grief and realism, Sharad Pawar added, “We cannot bring Ajit back. We have lost him. Now we have to see how to face the situation.” His words reflected both personal loss and the political uncertainty that now surrounds the party.
The veteran leader said that consensus had already been reached on both factions working together, and the groundwork for reunification had begun. “The decision on the merger was supposed to be announced on February 12. Ajit had given this date, but unfortunately, the accident took place,” he said, suggesting that events had overtaken a carefully planned political process.
When asked whether he was taken into confidence before Sunetra Pawar’s name was proposed for the deputy chief minister’s post, Sharad Pawar was blunt. “What kind of confidence? Their party is different. Our party is different,” he said, drawing a clear line between the two factions and dismissing suggestions of behind-the-scenes coordination.
Sharad Pawar also denied any knowledge of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s involvement in the developments, pushing back against speculation that the BJP may have played a role in the unfolding events.
Addressing theories circulating around the air crash that claimed Ajit Pawar’s life, the former Union minister urged restraint. He said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already initiated a probe and would examine all aspects of the incident. “The DGCA is investigating the crash. All angles will be looked into,” he said, cautioning against premature conclusions.
As Maharashtra continues to grapple with the political and emotional fallout of Ajit Pawar’s death, Sharad Pawar’s remarks signalled both distance from immediate power moves and a lingering hope for party unity—tempered by grief, realism, and unresolved questions about the road ahead.