‘We stand with the family’: Fadnavis pledges support to NCP ahead of Sunetra Pawar’s oath as Dy CM
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Mumbai/Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday affirmed that the Mahayuti alliance would fully back the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) decision regarding the vacant Deputy Chief Minister post, paving the way for Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar to assume the role.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Fadnavis emphasized the alliance's solidarity with the grieving family following the death of Ajit Pawar.
“The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will take whatever decision it deems fit for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, and the government and the BJP will support that decision,” Fadnavis said. “I can only say that we stand firmly with Ajit Dada’s family and the NCP.”
According to NCP sources, Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to take the oath as Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday at 5 pm. Sources indicate she has accepted the proposal for her elevation and is likely to retain the Excise and Sports portfolios.
However, the critical Finance portfolio, previously held by Ajit Pawar, will remain with Chief Minister Fadnavis for the interim. This decision was taken to ensure stability ahead of the state budget session scheduled for March.
Addressing the budget preparations, Fadnavis noted that his predecessor had already completed substantial groundwork. “I will personally oversee the remaining procedures, and a decision on the next steps will be taken in due course,” he stated.
The leadership change follows the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar (66) on Wednesday, when his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Baramati. The accident claimed the lives of all five on board. His last rites were performed with full state honours on Thursday, attended by dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar.
Separately, Fadnavis touched upon the recent Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections, noting that the BJP had secured a clear majority. He stated that the final decision regarding the mayoral post would be taken collectively by party leaders and local MLAs.