Sunetra Pawar to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister?

A significant development is expected in Maharashtra politics. NCP sources have indicated that Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is likely to assume office as the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister. It is reported that she will be elected as the legislative party leader at a party parliamentary board meeting in Mumbai on Saturday, and will take the oath of office as Deputy Chief Minister the same evening. NCP working president Praful Patel clarified that there are no obstacles within the party to Sunetra Pawar's appointment.

Meanwhile, following Ajit Pawar's sudden death, discussions on the reunification of the NCP's splintered factions have gained momentum again. It is reported that talks regarding a merger with Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Jayant Patil had already taken place while Ajit Pawar was alive. The fact that both factions contested together in the Pune and Chinchwad local body elections has become significant. The impact of Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister on these reunification efforts has become a subject of interesting discussion in political circles. On the other hand, the Maharashtra CID has launched an investigation into the plane crash that led to Ajit Pawar's death.