Sunetra Pawar Becomes Maharashtra's First Female Deputy CM; Fadnavis Cancels Rallies

• Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Saturday, becoming the state's first female Deputy CM.
• The oath-taking ceremony occurred just three days after Ajit Pawar's demise, drawing mixed reactions and criticism from some, including Sharad Pawar.
• Following Sunetra Pawar's oath, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis canceled all his campaign rallies for the ongoing District Council elections.
• Fadnavis's decision to halt campaigning, despite 22 rallies scheduled and strong BJP momentum, is attributed to Ajit Pawar's untimely death.
• Sunetra Pawar expressed deep grief over her husband's passing but affirmed her commitment to duty and carrying forward his legacy of public service.

Why It Matters: Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy CM and Fadnavis's canceled rallies mark a significant political shift post-Ajit Pawar's death.