Sunetra Pawar Set to Become Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy CM, NCP Chief

• Sunetra Pawar is poised to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister and the new NCP chief, with an oath ceremony expected Saturday at 5 PM.
• The Deputy CM post became vacant after Ajit Pawar's sudden death; his wife, Sunetra Pawar, has agreed to take on the responsibility.
• The development fuels speculation about the unification of Ajit Pawar's and Sharad Pawar's NCP factions, with some leaders calling it Ajit Pawar's "last wish."
• NCP leaders met CM Devendra Fadnavis, who approved the oath-taking if the party's legislative wing formally decides; a meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 2 PM.
• Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, is seen as a Maratha face who can maintain party balance and has acceptance in both NCP camps, despite not being an MLA/MLC.

Why It Matters: Sunetra Pawar is set to become Maharashtra's first woman Deputy CM and NCP chief, potentially uniting party factions.