Maharashtra has witnessed a historic political development following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, has been sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
She took the oath of office and formally assumed her responsibilities on Saturday. Indian media reported that with this appointment, Maharashtra has, for the first time, a woman serving as Deputy Chief Minister.
In the recent state assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party formed an alliance with Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Following the election, Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP was appointed Chief Minister, while Shinde and Pawar assumed the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
Ajit Pawar died on Magh 14 while traveling to attend a program in his home district. The aircraft he was aboard crashed near Baramati International Airport. Six people, including Pawar, lost their lives in the accident.
