Sunetra Pawar is guardian minister of Pune and Beed

The post of Pune district guardian minister holds particular political and administrative significance for the Pawar family. Ajit Pawar, for whom Pune was the home district, ensured that the portfolio remained with him for over two decades. The guardian minister heads key district-level committees and exercises considerable administrative authority in the district, with senior officials, including the district collector, police commissioner and other IAS officers, expected to act on the minister’s directions.

Ajit Pawar regularly chaired review meetings, usually on Saturdays, at the council hall and circuit house in Pune. Following his death, the NCP leadership was keen that the influential Pune guardian minister’s post remain with Sunetra Pawar.

In Beed district, the guardian minister’s post was earlier held by Dhananjay Munde. However, after allegations were levelled against him, Munde stepped down from the ministry, following which Ajit Pawar himself took charge of Beed district and retained the guardian minister’s portfolio.