26 February,2026 09:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. FILE PIC
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has been appointed the national president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), replacing his late husband Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane accident in Baramati on January 28.
The decision was taken at a party meeting held at Worli Dome in Mumbai on Thursday. Senior party leader Praful Patel proposed Sunetra's name for the post, a move which was seconded by state NCP president Sunil Tatkare. She was elected unanimously and unopposed as the new national president of the party.
Sunetra assumed charge as Maharashtra's first woman deputy CM on February 10.
Sunetra addressed the gathering, saying the position was not just a post for her but a responsibility toward thousands of party workers.
She described party workers as her biggest strength and assured them that she would work with dedication to uphold the party's values and legacy.
"I am aware that in every mind there is only one name, Ajit Dada. He left midway with many dreams unfinished. We will work towards completing his dreams. His departure is unfortunate, but we must accept the reality and move forward," she said.
Patel and Tatkare both addressed party workers at the meeting, recalling the vision of the late Ajit Pawar, and urged party workers to carry forward his legacy.
