New Delhi / Baramati, India — Supriya Sule, the four-time Lok Sabha MP from Baramati and prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), has been at the centre of major political developments this week following the tragic demise of her cousin, Ajit Pawar. Sule’s reactions and recent statements have become one of the most talked-about subjects in Indian political news as the state of Maharashtra grapples with leadership transitions and party realignments.
Public Grief and Personal Loss
On 28 January 2026, following the sudden death of Ajit Pawar — Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra — in a plane crash near Baramati, Supriya Sule took to social media to express her anguish. In a brief message, she wrote that she felt “devastated” by the loss of her “Dada” (elder cousin), underlining the deep personal impact of the tragedy. She also rushed to Baramati from New Delhi to be with her family.
Political leaders from across the spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Eknath Shinde, and other national figures, also expressed their condolences, acknowledging Pawar’s decades-long role in Maharashtra politics and the sense of loss shared by Sule and her family.
Historical Political Context
Supriya Sule hails from one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families. She is the daughter of Sharad Pawar, founder of the original Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has played a central role in state politics for decades. Ajit Pawar’s association with the NCP, and particularly his faction following the party split, was a significant chapter in recent state political dynamics.
In early January 2026 — before the sudden tragedy — Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar had briefly shared the political stage for the Pune civic polls, releasing a joint manifesto in what was seen as a significant political gesture after years of factional differences within the Pawar family’s political faction. Analysts had read this as a signal of potential reconciliation between the rival wings of the NCP, though both leaders remained cautious in their statements.
Indeed, even before the crash, Supriya Sule had publicly dismissed speculation about deep rifts within her family, stating there “had never been any issues” and stressing that all members were focused on serving the public — a sentiment that was quoted widely in political media coverage.
Role Within the NCP and Parliamentary Work
As the Working President of NCP-SP and a national leader, Supriya Sule has frequently been active in parliamentary debates and political strategy. While speculation over reunification of the NCP factions often arises in political commentary, Sule herself has clarified that there has been “no discussion” on any formal merger of the rival wings led by her and Ajit Pawar, emphasizing that formal party decisions require due process and broad consensus.
Her parliamentary role has also included participation in all-party delegations. In 2025, Sule was part of an all-party delegation tasked with projecting India’s position on anti-terrorism and related international cooperation, reflecting her engagement beyond state politics.
Recent Statements and Political Messaging
Before the recent tragic events, Supriya Sule was actively addressing issues related to governance and civic concerns. During the Pune civic poll campaign, she highlighted local priorities and released a “progressive manifesto,” asserting confidence that voters in Pune and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) would support her party’s candidates.
Sule also found herself addressing questions about family dynamics and political cooperation, insisting that collaboration with other NCP factions was driven by shared service goals rather than personal discord.
What This Means for Maharashtra Politics
Ajit Pawar’s death marks a major turning point in Maharashtra’s political landscape. As a senior figure within the Pawar political dynasty, his loss creates both emotional and strategic vacuums within state governance and within the NCP’s structures.
Supriya Sule’s role — both as a family member affected by loss and as a political leader engaging with party strategy — will certainly be watched closely in the days ahead. Her ability to navigate grief alongside the practical demands of political leadership is likely to influence both her party’s direction and the broader balance of political influence in Maharashtra and at the national level.
Summary
Supriya Sule’s recent public responses following the tragic death of Ajit Pawar — her cousin and a major political leader in Maharashtra — have become a central talking point in Indian political news. Her expression of personal loss, combined with her ongoing political engagement in state and national issues, highlights her significance in the evolving political narrative of Maharashtra and the NCP.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 1:28 pm by BUSINESS SAGA TEAM | Published by: BUSINESS SAGA TEAM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 1:28 pm | News Categories: Trending News
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