Following the tragic plane crash death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026, near Baramati airport, his wife Sunetra Pawar is set to take oath as the new Dy CM. NCP leaders have convened a meeting on January 31 to name her the legislature party leader, with oath-taking possibly on Saturday evening, making her the state's first woman in the role. Advanced merger talks between Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, planned for announcement on February 8 post-zilla parishad polls, now hang in balance after Ajit's demise. Ajit had confided merger plans days before the crash, aiming to unite under his uncle's health.Rumors of Clash Intensify NCP workers anticipate fierce fights over the Dy CM post, central ministerial berths, and state cabinet slots if merger proceeds. Baramati grassroots demand family hold—Sunetra for Dy CM, sons Parth or Jay for bypolls—fearing power dilution without unity. Seniors push Sunetra to stabilize the flock if merger falters, amid Mahayuti tensions.