‘Party Is My Family, Will Fulfil Ajit Dada’s Dream’: Sunetra Pawar Takes Charge As NCP Chief – Delhi News Daily

Last Updated:February 27, 2026, 09:27 IST

Sunetra Pawar has been elected national president of NCP, a month after the death of her husband and former Deputy CM of the state, Ajit Pawar.

Sunetra Pawar stressed the need to expand the party base in urban areas and intensify organisational efforts. (X/@SunetraAjitPawar)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) at the party’s national convention on Thursday.

Sunetra Pawar, who was elected as the party chief nearly a month after her husband Ajit Pawar’s death, said the party was her family, and taking over the new role was a painful moment for her but it also carried a great responsibility.

While addressing party office-bearers and workers after her election, she said that the party would connect with all sections of society.

“Not just Parth and Jay, the entire Nationalist Congress Party is my family,” she said, drawing loud applause from party members.

Invoking the ideology of Shiv, Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar, she assured that no section of society would be ignored. “I will not leave any section of society behind. We will move ahead by taking everyone along,” she said, adding that she would make sincere efforts to carry forward the party’s ideology and strengthen its organisation across the state and beyond.

Calling the occasion both painful and a moment of great responsibility, Pawar said the party was yet to recover from the untimely demise of its beloved leader Ajit Pawar. She said his passing had created a void that could never be filled and that she was deeply conscious of the expectations and responsibilities left behind.

“The Sahyadri that stood firm and took every crisis upon itself is no longer with us. I have seen Ajitdada strive throughout his life for the development of Maharashtra. We will not let his dream remain unfulfilled…Together we will accomplish it,” she said, her voice choking with emotion as she recalled his contribution.

She also spoke of carrying forward the ideological legacy of Sharadabai Pawar, veteran leader Sharad Pawar’s mother, and said her focus henceforth would be the welfare of Maharashtra and the well-being of its people.

She also stressed the need to expand the party base in urban areas and intensify organisational efforts. She expressed confidence that the party would work towards regaining national party status and strengthening its base.

Sunetra Pawar’s Election To Top Post

The decision was taken through a show of hands, with all members present extending their support. The announcement was made by NCP National Working President Praful Patel, bringing clarity to the party’s leadership nearly a month after the sudden demise of former president Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28.

“There may be claims and advice from outside on how the party should function. But the NCP will move forward under Sunetra Pawar’s guidance,” he said.

Ajit Pawar had taken charge as the party’s national president on June 30, 2023. In his two-and-a-half-year tenure, the party contested several elections, including the Lok Sabha polls, Maharashtra Assembly elections, civic body polls and Assembly elections in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar. Despite challenges, the party managed to hold its ground under his leadership.

Parth Pawar To Go Rajya Sabha

Patel also announced that Parth Pawar would be the party’s candidate for the election to the Rajya Sabha seat, which fell vacant after his mother Sunetra Pawar’s resignation.

Sunetra Pawar was elected unopposed as a Rajya Sabha member from the NCP in June 2024 after her defeat in the Lok Sabha election.

Patel said 37 votes were required for the win and that the party had the support of 40 MLAs, expressing confidence that all of them would unanimously vote for Parth Pawar.

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