Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar on Saturday became the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath to Sunetra at Lok Bhavan. The swearing-in ceremony lasted for about 12 minutes. Sharad Pawar did not attend the ceremony.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of NCP legislative party and Legislative Council members was convened at the Vidhan Bhavan, in which Sunetra was elected as the party leader. Before the swearing-in of Deputy CM, Sunetra resigned from the post of Rajya Sabha MP.

Sunetra has been given the portfolios of State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare and Minority Development/Auqaf. At the same time, CM Devendra Fadnavis has kept the finance department with himself. The post of Deputy CM was vacant after Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28, three days ago.

After taking the oath, he wrote on X – The love and support of the people of Maharashtra is my biggest strength in this difficult time. With your trust, I will move forward with renewed hope, keeping Dada's ideals alive.