India, Jan. 30 -- Several leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday backed Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar to take charge of the party, with some even pushing for her induction into the Maharashtra cabinet, perhaps even as deputy chief minister.

The demands came on the day the mortal remains of her husband, Ajit Pawar, the deputy CM of the state, who died in an aircrash on Wednesday, were laid to rest in Baramati.

People familiar with the matter said formal discussions within the party will only begin after the three-day mourning period declared by the state. Ajit Pawar also held the finance portfolio.

Senior NCP leader and sitting minister Narhari Zirwal said people were backing "vahini" (sister-in-law, referring to...