Sunetra Pawar Unanimously Elected Nationalist Congress Party President

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national president on February 26, 2026, succeeding her late husband Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash in January. The decision was made at the party's national executive meeting with full support from senior leaders and delegates. Sunetra Pawar, the first woman to lead the party, also serves as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister and will contest the Baramati assembly by-election. Her son Parth Pawar was nominated for the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by her. She emphasized unity, continuing Ajit Pawar's legacy, and expanding the party's reach, particularly among women and urban voters.