Amid speculations over the vacuum left by the demise of Ajit Pawar, it has been revealed that his wife Sunetra Pawar will fill his shoes--not just as NCP chief but also as Maharashtra deputy chief minister.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held on Saturday at 5 pm, revealed sources. She is expected to be named the chief of the party during a legislature party meeting on Saturday.
"The legislature party meeting of the NCP will be convened on Saturday, where Sunetra Pawar will be named as its leader. Many leaders want her to become the deputy CM," Chhagan Bhujbal said.
The finance portfolio held by Ajit will be taken over by Fadnavis while Sunetra will be given excise and sports.
Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha member of the NCP. Once she is inducted as minister, she will have to contest assembly elections within six months. The Baramati assembly seat held by Ajit Pawar has fallen vacant after his death. NCP has reportedly decided to field Sunetra from Baramati in the bypolls.