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This Special Report hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai examines the significant political shift in Maharashtra following the death of Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. His widow, Sunetra Pawar, has been sworn in as the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, a move occurring three days after the tragedy. While the NCP leadership attributes this appointment to public sentiment, family patriarch Sharad Pawar and various critics have raised questions regarding transparency and the timing of the elevation. The programme features analysis from Sahil Joshi and Rohit Sandhavarkar on whether Sunetra Pawar can maintain independent control or if she will be influenced by senior leaders like Praful Patel. Concurrently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assumed the finance and planning portfolios, consolidating BJP influence within the Mahayuti coalition. The discussion explores the historical context of political legacies, the internal dynamics of the Pawar family, and the administrative challenges facing the new Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape.

On this Special Report, editor Sahil Joshi provides an exclusive chronology of the political shift in Maharashtra following the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar. Joshi notes that the decision to elevate Sunetra Pawar to Deputy Chief Minister was unique because 'This is the first time the decision happened outside the family' circle, involving top NCP leaders like Praful Patel and Chagan Bhujbal before being conveyed to the Pawar family. The discussion explores whether Sunetra Pawar, a political newcomer, can successfully navigate the administrative challenges of the role and maintain the NCP's influence alongside a powerful Chief Minister like Devendra Fadnavis. The programme also examines the potential for a merger between the two NCP factions and the strategic role of the BJP in this transition. Analysts weigh in on the historical precedents of spouses taking over political legacies and the specific hurdles Sunetra Pawar faces in holding the party together amidst an existential crisis.

On this India Today special report, Anish Gawande of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) joins Rajdeep Sardesai to discuss the sudden political developments in Maharashtra following the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar. Gawande addresses the appointment of Sunetra Pawar as the new Deputy Chief Minister, stating, 'I think that Sunetra Wahini is incredibly capable and competent of being Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.' He emphasizes that despite the political divide, the family remains united in grief and dismisses claims of being 'outsmarted' by the BJP or the Ajit Pawar faction. Gawande explains that the decision was internal to the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and reflects the public sentiment in Baramati. The discussion also touches upon the tradition of kin succeeding leaders in Maharashtra politics and the current status of potential merger talks between the two NCP factions in the wake of the tragedy.

In this news bulletin, an unidentified speaker addresses significant claims involving the Pawar family and political shifts in Maharashtra. The speaker mentions being 'very happy to be here today' while the introductory narration discusses a purported merger that was reportedly 'on the anvil in the month of February'. The transcript highlights a claim that the 85-year-old patriarch was unaware of Sunetra Pawar being sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Furthermore, the dialogue references a 'tragic death of Ajit Pawar' as a turning point for these political developments. The programme focuses on these assertions regarding internal family dynamics and the timing of political alliances. The unidentified speaker repeats their enthusiasm for the occasion while the report outlines the alleged lack of communication within the political dynasty regarding high-level appointments and the impact of sudden events on planned mergers.