Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, 62, is set to become Maharashtra’s next deputy chief minister, stepping into the role held by her late husband Ajit Pawar, who was killed in an air crash on Wednesday. She is expected to be sworn in on Saturday, which would make her the first woman to hold the deputy CM’s post in the state. The NCP has called a meeting of its legislators at 2 pm on Saturday, during which Sunetra is expected to be elected leader of the party’s legislature wing. She is likely to be sworn in as deputy chief minister by evening.

The move is being seen as a pre-emptive decision aimed at curbing speculation over the party’s leadership and potential contenders for the post. Once Sunetra assumes office, she may have to resign from the Rajya Sabha and contest the Baramati bypoll, as the seat is expected to fall vacant following Ajit Pawar’s death.

“Sunetra Pawar will be deputy chief minister. There is consensus on this. There will be a meeting of the NCP legislature party and she will be elected to head it,” said NCP leader and food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal.