Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the new National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday, February 26, 2026, nearly a month after the tragic death of her husband, former NCP Chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the party's national executive at its national convention in Mumbai. Senior leader and Working President Praful Patel proposed Sunetra Pawar's name, which received full endorsement from delegates through a show of hands, making the election unanimous. She succeeds Ajit Pawar, who held the position until his demise in a plane crash on January 28, 2026, near Baramati airport in Maharashtra's Pune district. Ajit Pawar, aged 66, was among five people killed when the chartered Learjet 45 crashed during an attempted landing.

Sunetra Pawar, 62, becomes the third national president of the NCP after Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, and the first woman to hold the office. This follows her earlier succession to other key roles: on January 31, 2026, she was unanimously elected leader of the NCP legislative party and sworn in as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister, alongside Eknath Shinde. She assumed ministerial duties shortly thereafter, attending her maiden cabinet meeting after completing a period of mourning.

Also Read: Sunetra Pawar Assumes Maharashtra Deputy CM Role, Pledges to Uphold Ajit Pawar’s Legacy

The transition marks a significant moment for the NCP amid ongoing political dynamics in Maharashtra, where the party remains part of the ruling coalition. Senior leaders paid tributes to Ajit Pawar during the proceedings, acknowledging his long tenure as the state's longest-serving deputy chief minister across multiple terms. Sunetra Pawar's elevation is seen as a move to ensure continuity and unity within the organisation, with party members expressing confidence in her ability to steer the NCP forward.

This development comes as the party prepares for future challenges, including potential by-elections and organisational strengthening. Sunetra Pawar, previously a Rajya Sabha member, has been active in public life and is expected to focus on consolidating the party's base while upholding its legacy. The unanimous support underscores internal cohesion following the sudden leadership vacuum created by Ajit Pawar's passing.

Also Read: Sunetra Pawar Steps Into Deputy CM Role Days After Husband Ajit Pawar's Demise