Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar has been appointed guardian minister for Pune and Beed, filling the posts left vacant after the demise of her husband, Ajit Pawar. She will oversee development work and government schemes in both districts
Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. Pic/PTI
The Maharashtra government has appointed Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Sunetra Ajit Pawar as the guardian minister for Pune and Beed districts, filling the vacancy left by her husband, the late Ajit Pawar, who held the post until his untimely demise in a plane crash.
The decision, issued as a government resolution by the General Administration Department on February 3, 2026, amends the earlier order dated September 16, 2024. The resolution, digitally signed by Hemant Anant Mahajan, undersecretary to the government, has been published on the official Maharashtra government website.
As per the GR, the late Ajit Pawar had previously overseen Pune and Beed as guardian minister alongside his responsibilities as Deputy CM, handling finance and planning portfolios. With Sunetra Pawar now holding the post for both districts, she assumes the responsibility of coordinating government schemes and development work in these key regions.
Sunetra Pawar was recently elevated to the position of Maharashtra Deputy CM on January 31, following Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in an air crash on January 28. The appointment as guardian minister for Pune, a major urban hub, and Beed, a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family, consolidates Sunetra Pawar’s administrative role in the state’s governance structure.
Copies of Tuesday’s GR have been circulated to the Secretary to the Governor, among other authorities, and the appointment will be reflected in official government records.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar likely to visit Delhi after February 9
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar is likely to visit Delhi after February 9. According a section of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders, the newly elected Maharashta Deputy CM is likely to meet National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She is also likely to even pay a courtesy visit to President and Vice President.
Not in race for NCP chief's post, will follow party workers’ sentiments: Praful Patel
Senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Tuesday clarified that he is not in the race to become the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), following the tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash last week.
Patel expressed concern over comments from those outside the party regarding decisions being taken after Pawar’s demise.
“Election of Sunetra Pawar as leader of the legislature party is our right. We will take decisions as per the sentiments of our rank and file,” the NCP working president told reporters in Delhi.
He emphasised that while the vacancy for the party’s national president will be filled, he personally is not seeking the post.
“I am not in the race for the president's post. It is not proper to speak on any other issue at this juncture,” Patel said
Earlier, while paying condolences at the party office, Patel noted that the NCP will chart out its future under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
(With PTI inputs)
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