Sunetra Pawar: From Social Worker to Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy CM?

• Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, is the likely choice for Maharashtra's Deputy CM, potentially becoming the state's first woman in the role.
• She is a Rajya Sabha MP and has a background in social work, notably transforming Kathewadi into a model eco-village and establishing the Baramati Hi Tech Textile Park.
• Despite being part of the Pawar family for decades, she formally entered politics only in 2024, contesting and losing the Baramati Lok Sabha seat before being nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
• Her appointment comes after Ajit Pawar's sudden demise, creating a leadership vacuum in the NCP faction allied with BJP and Shiv Sena.
• Challenges include navigating state cabinet dynamics, managing the NCP faction, and potentially addressing calls for reunification with Sharad Pawar's NCP.

Why It Matters: Sunetra Pawar is poised to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy CM, facing significant political challenges.