Sunetra Pawar Takes Oath as Maharashtra Deputy CM as Global Events Unfold

In a significant political development, Sunetra Pawar has been sworn in as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister on January 31, 2026. Her appointment follows the untimely demise of her husband, Ajit Pawar, on January 28, and she has been allocated the crucial portfolios of excise, sports and youth welfare, and minorities development. This domestic political shift occurred amidst a backdrop of international incidents, including an explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, escalating tensions and cautious progress in the Gaza ceasefire, and security alerts in India ahead of a prime ministerial visit, underscoring a day of multifaceted global and national news.

Sunetra Pawar Takes Helm in Maharashtra Politics

Sunetra Pawar’s ascent to the Deputy Chief Minister position marks a notable moment in Maharashtra's political landscape. Following her husband Ajit Pawar's death in an air crash, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a constituent of the Mahayuti government, swiftly elected her as the leader of its legislature wing. This led to her formal swearing-in as Deputy Chief Minister, an appointment that garnered well wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister, in a post on X, expressed his confidence that she would work tirelessly for the welfare of the state's people and fulfill the vision of the late Ajit Pawar, whom he referred to as "Ajitdada Pawar."

As part of the cabinet reshuffle, Sunetra Pawar has been entrusted with the excise, sports and youth welfare, and minorities development portfolios. Significantly, the finance and planning departments, previously held by Ajit Pawar, have been reallocated to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sunetra Pawar, 62, entered active politics later than many members of her prominent family, but her engagement has been notable. After contesting the Baramati Lok Sabha seat in 2024 and subsequently being elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, her parliamentary record indicates a strong focus on practical concerns such as agriculture, environmental conservation, and railway projects, as reported by The Federal.

Geopolitical Tensions and Regional Conflicts

Internationally, the day was marked by reports of an explosion at Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas. While the cause remains unknown, semi-official news agencies were quick to dismiss social media claims suggesting a targeting of a Revolutionary Guard commander. Bandar Abbas is a strategically vital port located on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies, making any incident there a matter of international concern. Investigations are reportedly underway, though Iranian authorities have yet to provide official comments regarding the blast.

Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced renewed challenges. Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 23 Palestinians on Saturday, one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire. These strikes, including lethal hits on an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis, occurred a day after Israel accused Hamas of ceasefire violations. The developments cast a shadow over the impending reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, a crucial lifeline for Palestinians needing medical treatment outside the territory. The opening of this crossing marks the first significant step in the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire, which also aims to address demilitarization and the formation of a new government in Gaza, according to The Federal.

Security Alerts and Sports Setbacks in India

Closer to home, security agencies in Jalandhar, India, were on high alert after receiving email threats of bomb blasts targeting the Dera Sachkhand Ballan and five local schools. These threats emerged just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the Dera headquarters. While extensive security checks found nothing suspicious at the schools, which were closed for Guru Ravidas Jayanti, the Dera premises were already under tightened security due to the Prime Minister's visit. The emails reportedly claimed that PM Modi was "an enemy of Khalistanis," adding a layer of concern to the upcoming events, which include the inauguration of the civil terminal of Halwara airport and the renaming of Adampur airport to Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport, The Federal reported.

In the world of sports, Australia suffered a significant setback ahead of the T20 World Cup, as premier pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out due to a lingering back injury. This unfortunate development led to the national selectors replacing him with Ben Dwarshuis in the 15-member squad. Top-order batter Matthew Short was also omitted from the original squad. The tournament, which commences on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, will now see Australia without one of its key players, potentially impacting their campaign.

Domestic Tragedies and Political Intrigue

The day also brought news of an investigation into the alleged suicide of CJ Roy, chairman of the real-estate firm Confident Group. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding Roy's death, who reportedly shot himself with his licensed firearm at his Bengaluru office. This incident occurred while Income Tax officials were present on his company's premises in connection with ongoing raids, raising questions about the events leading to the tragedy.

In the context of Maharashtra politics, beyond the swearing-in, there were reports of family dynamics at play. Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MP, visited Ajit Pawar's mother, Asha Pawar, in Baramati, amidst the preparations for Sunetra Pawar's appointment. Interestingly, this visit coincided with Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, meeting his grandparents at NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s Baramati residence, Govindbaug. Sharad Pawar, earlier in the day, had stated he was unaware of Sunetra Pawar's imminent swearing-in as Deputy CM, adding a layer of political intrigue to the family's interactions.