In a shocking turn of events for Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar is set to take over the leadership of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction formerly led by her husband, Ajit Pawar. The Deputy Chief Minister tragically passed away on Wednesday morning when his chartered Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed during a landing attempt en route from Mumbai to Baramati. While the party has moved swiftly to name Sunetra as his successor, NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar has publicly distanced himself from the decision and the upcoming swearing-in ceremony, highlighting a persistent rift between the family and current political maneuvers.
The Tragic Incident: Learjet 45 Crash
The aviation accident claimed five lives, including the Deputy Chief Minister, marking a dark day in the state’s history.
| Detail | Information |
| Aircraft | Learjet 45 (Owned/Operated by VSR Ventures) |
| Route | Mumbai to Baramati |
| Circumstance | Crashed during a second landing attempt. |
| Casualties | Ajit Pawar, Capt. Sumit Kapur (Pilot), Shambhavi Pathak (Co-pilot), Vidip Jadhav (PSO), and Pinky Mali (Attendant). |
Political Succession: Sunetra Pawar’s Rise
Sunetra Pawar, who has long managed the family’s social and educational initiatives in Baramati, now moves to the forefront of the state’s political arena.
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The Decision: Taken by the NCP leadership to maintain continuity within the Ajit Pawar faction.
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The Swearing-In: Scheduled for Saturday evening, a development Sharad Pawar claimed to have learned about only through media reports.
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Sharad Pawar’s Stance: The senior Pawar noted a clear “demarcation” between the tragedy and the political process, stating he was not consulted on the succession.
The “Incomplete Reunion”
The tragedy comes just as reports surfaced of a potential political reconciliation between the two NCP factions.
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The December Plan: NCP (SP) leader Ankush Kakade revealed that Ajit Pawar had hoped to merge the two factions as a “gift” for Sharad Pawar’s birthday on December 12.
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The January Meeting: According to NDTV, the uncle and nephew met as recently as January 17 to finalize a reunion, which was reportedly slated for an official announcement on February 12.
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Current Status: With Ajit Pawar’s passing, the future of this merger now rests with senior leaders like Jayant Patil.
The NCP split in July 2023 created a deep chasm in Maharashtra’s “First Family” of politics. While the death of Ajit Pawar has brought personal grief, the rapid appointment of Sunetra Pawar suggests that the political machinery behind the Ajit Pawar faction remains determined to hold its ground independently of Sharad Pawar’s influence. The upcoming months will determine if the “reunion” Ajit sought can be achieved posthumously or if the factions will drift further apart.
