Sunetra Pawar Takes Over as Guardian Minister for Pune and Beed Districts
In a significant political development, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has been officially designated as the Guardian Minister for both Pune and Beed districts in Maharashtra. This appointment follows the redistribution of portfolios previously managed by her late husband, former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who had held responsibility for these same districts during his tenure in the state government.
Continuing a Political Tradition
The decision to assign Sunetra Pawar these districts maintains a long-standing political tradition within the Pawar family. Pune, recognized as the home district of the Pawar family, has consistently been under the guardianship of Ajit Pawar whenever he served in the state government. This continuity underscores the strategic importance of Pune in the family's political stronghold, despite the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) experiencing a decline in influence in the region in recent years.
Additionally, Beed in the Marathwada region was an additional responsibility managed by Ajit Pawar. The NCP derives significant strength from western Maharashtra and parts of Marathwada, with Pune playing a crucial role in the party's overall political framework.
Background and Political Context
The appointment comes amid shifts in Maharashtra's political landscape. In the government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, a leader from Beed district, initially served as the guardian minister. However, following the 2024 Assembly polls and the subsequent arrest of Munde's associate Walmik Karad in an extortion case linked to a murder, Munde was stripped of the guardianship. Ajit Pawar was then entrusted with the charge of Beed.
After Ajit Pawar's passing, all his portfolios—except for Finance and Planning, which were retained by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—have been transferred to Sunetra Pawar. This move appears to be a strategic decision by the BJP-led administration to avoid disrupting the newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Minister, allowing her to oversee key districts without interference.
Electoral Significance and Future Implications
Pune holds particular electoral significance, as evidenced by the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation polls, where Ajit Pawar contested against the BJP but faced defeat. By appointing Sunetra Pawar as guardian minister, the government may be aiming to stabilize the region and leverage her connection to the Pawar legacy to bolster NCP's presence.
This development highlights the ongoing dynamics within Maharashtra's coalition politics, where district-level appointments can influence broader party strategies and regional control. As Sunetra Pawar steps into this role, her performance will be closely watched, potentially shaping the NCP's future in these critical districts.
