Baramati, May 7, 2026
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar’s son Jay Pawar on Thursday stirred political speculation by projecting his mother and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as a future Chief Ministerial candidate.
There is a strong sentiment among party workers for Sunetra Pawar to be projected as the Chief Ministerial face for the 2029 Assembly elections, he said while speaking to reporters after holding a Jansamvad programme.
“During recent discussions with colleagues, it was clear that the people of Baramati shared a collective dream of seeing ‘Dada’ (Ajit Pawar) as the Chief Minister. That dream remained unfulfilled due to his accidental passing. Now, Sunetra Kaki is working incredibly hard. I believe she will contest the 2029 Assembly elections from Baramati, and it is our hope that she ascends to the post of Chief Minister,” Jay Pawar said.
Referring to Sunetra Pawar’s recent by-election victory in the Baramati Assembly constituency, Jay Pawar said the demand was emerging directly from the grassroots level. He reiterated that following Sunetra Pawar’s record-breaking victory in the Baramati bypoll, party workers were no longer looking at her merely as a local leader or Deputy Chief Minister, but as a future leader of Maharashtra.
He clarified that while the party leadership would take the final decision, the overwhelming wish among party workers was to see “Vahini” (Sunetra Pawar) lead Maharashtra in 2029.
Regarding his own political future, Jay Pawar reiterated that while many people were urging him to contest the 2029 Assembly elections from Baramati, he currently viewed himself as a dedicated party worker focused on strengthening the organisation in the region.
Jay Pawar has been holding marathon meetings in Baramati — some lasting more than six hours — to connect with local Zilla Parishad groups and office-bearers. Political analysts view this proactive outreach as the early groundwork for the 2029 electoral cycle, aimed at ensuring that the NCP led by Ajit Pawar retains its stronghold in the Pawar family’s traditional bastion.
Jay Pawar’s statement comes at a time when Sunetra Pawar’s political stature is considered to be at an all-time high. Having been sworn in as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister in January 2026 and securing a massive electoral mandate in May 2026, the “Sunetra for CM” narrative is being seen as a strategic attempt to project a fresh and historic face for the NCP ahead of the next major electoral battle.
Meanwhile, BJP legislator Pravin Darekar said there was nothing wrong if Jay Pawar had expressed the sentiments of party workers, but added that everything ultimately depended on numbers.
Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale also said: “We will have to wait till 2029 to see how things take shape.”
State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said: “Children always harbour the desire to become big influencers. However, when you go along with the BJP, you do not get the Chief Minister’s post. One should ask Nitish Kumar and Eknath Shinde. The BJP wants to establish absolute rule in the country. If one wants to create the possibility of getting the CM’s post, then one will have to muster the courage to stand in opposition and fight against the BJP.”
NCP-SP legislator Jitendra Awhad, reacting to Jay Pawar’s remarks, said everyone had the right to dream, but added that the mandate ultimately comes from the people.(Agency)
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