India, Jan. 31 -- With Sunetra Pawar taking charge as the deputy chief minister and emerging as a key Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, she is expected to assert a firm control over Pune district, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and prevent interference by other leaders, party sources said on Saturday.

Late Ajit Pawar, husband of Sunetra Pawar, had maintained undisputed control over his home district, ensuring that no leader-often not even from his own party-interfered in Pune's political affairs. Sources say Sunetra Pawar, who closely witnessed this approach, is likely to follow the same line.

"Pune district is crucial for the Pawar family as Baramati falls within it. Most members of the family spend a significant amount of...