That is how Sunetra Pawar, mother of two sons and wife of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP supremo Ajit Pawar, walked into Maharashtra’s Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday (January 31, 2026). None of the Pawar family members, except her son, were present for the swearing-in ceremony, as they said they were not invited. For Sharad Pawar, who had once called her an ‘outsider’ in the Pawar family, the immediate concern was to take care of the grief-struck family. The debate over which Pawar should helm it and whether Sharad Pawar should now take the decision for both parties together, is yet to be settled. So far, Sunetra Pawar had been seen only in the shadows of Ajit Pawar.

Source: The Hindu January 31, 2026 20:02 UTC