Sunetra Pawar is likely to contest from the Baramati seat vacated by Ajit Pawar, should elections be announced, marking her formal entry into politics.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is mulling to induct Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, in the state ministry following the death of the NCP leader in a plane crash on Wednesday.
Sunetra Pawar, left, pays last respects to the mortal remains of his husband and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during his funeral, at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, in Baramati, Pune district. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) (PTI)
Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal said public sentiment is strongly in favour of inducting Sunetra Pawar into the state government, news agency PTI reported
There is a clear demand from the people that Sunetra Pawar, also called “vahini”, meaning “sister-in-law”, should be given responsibility in the ministry, Zirwal told PTI, responding to questions on the party’s future after Ajit Pawar’s death.
The development comes as speculations remain over the future of NCP following Ajit Pawar's death and the question of reuniting with Sharad Pawar's camp or remaining with ruling Mahayuti.
A report in India Today, quoting sources, said that senior NCP leaders including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde and Sunil Tatkare have held a series of meetings with Sunetra Pawar as part of internal consultations on leadership succession and political strategy.