Bhubaneswar, Jan. 31 -- Sunetra Pawar on Saturday took oath as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking a historic moment in the state's political journey. Affectionately known as 'Vahini', she assumed office following the tragic death of her husband and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday morning.

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, the NCP, a key constituent of the Mahayuti government, formally informed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about Sunetra Pawar's election as the party's legislature party leader. During a meeting held at Vidhan Bhavan, NCP legislators unanimously elected her as their leader, paving the way for her elevation to the post of Deputy Chief Minister. ...