Thrust into the spotlight from the shadows of one of Maharashtra’s most powerful political families, Sunetra Pawar on Saturday became the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister. She now faces the task of leading the Nationalist Congress Party following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar. PICS/ASHISH RAJE, TEXT/PTI

Leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) paid tributes to late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a tragic plane crash near Baramati, at the party office in Mumbai on Friday, January 30, 2026. (Pics/Ashish Raje)