Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and a Rajya Sabha member, is likely to be sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday.

According to NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, she will be elected as the leader of the legislative party at a meeting on Saturday, after which she is expected to take the oath of office in the evening.

She would be the first woman to hold this position in the state.

Fadnavis agrees to NCP decision

After meeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he agrees with the NCP's decision, adding that the BJP and the government will fully support it.

On Friday, NCP Working President Praful Patel, senior leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and party state president Sunil Tatkare met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The four held talks for about an hour.

ALSO READ: 'We Stand Behind Ajit Dada's Family': Maharashtra CM Fadnavis' First Reaction After NCP Backs Sunetra Pawar As His Deputy

Following this meeting, Chhagan Bhujbal stated in a press conference that CM Fadnavis agreed to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister. Bhujbal added that in some families the mourning period is three days, while in others it is 10 days.

While there is no official confirmation on Suentra taking the oath today, reports suggest she would reach the Governor's House after being elected as party leader today.

Ajit Pawar died in plane crash

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with five others, died in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday. His last rites were performed in Baramati on Thursday, and his ashes were immersed at the confluence of the Karha and Nira rivers in Baramati on Friday.

Following Ajit Pawar's death, speculation had been rife that his wife, Sunetra Pawar, might replace him as Deputy Chief Minister. Workers and some senior leaders had also raised similar demands to keep the party united.

ALSO READ: Pawar Reunion On Cards In February? NCP Factions Expected To Reunite After Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Polls

IN 2024, Sunetra Pawar lost the last Lok Sabha election to her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule in Baramati. Ajit Pawar then catapulted her into Delhi politics by securing her a Rajya Sabha seat. If Sunetra Pawar is appointed Deputy Chief Minister, she will have to become a member of the assembly or council in six months.

As Ajit Pawar's death has left the home turf, Baramati assembly seat, vacant, she is most likely to contest the contest the Baramati Assembly by-elections later.