Chhagan Bhujbal’s comeback part of Mahayuti's master plan ahead of BMC polls?

Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal was visibly disappointed when he was denied a ticket for the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency last year.

He expressed similar discontent when the Mahayuti coalition returned to power, but his name was absent from the list of ministers. On both occasions, Bhujbal could not conceal his disappointment from the public.

However, his fortunes changed on Monday evening when it was decided to induct him as a minister from the NCP quota. He is likely to be assigned the Civil Supplies portfolio, previously held by Dhananjay Munde.

In July 2023, when Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar, Bhujbal joined him.

Previously regarded as a staunch loyalist of Sharad Pawar, Bhujbal had, with Pawar's support, engineered the first rebellion in Shiv Sena in 1991 and joined the Congress.

In 1999, when Sharad Pawar broke away from Congress to found the NCP, Bhujbal followed him. Within the party, Pawar gave Bhujbal more prominence than his nephew, Ajit.

Pawar appointed Bhujbal as Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister in the Congress-NCP alliance government.

However, Bhujbal had to resign after his name was linked to the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, known as the Telgi Scam. During another term of the alliance government, Bhujbal was again appointed as a minister, overseeing the Public Works Department. However, in 2016, he and his nephew Sameer were arrested in connection with the Maharashtra Sadan scam case.

Bringing Bhujbal back into the cabinet is seen as a strategic move by the Mahayuti coalition ahead of the upcoming civic body elections across the state.

Bhujbal has established himself as one of the tallest OBC leaders in Maharashtra. Last year, when the Mahayuti was attempting to placate agitators over the Maratha reservation issue, Bhujbal took an aggressive stance.

He targeted Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil and criticized his own government for being lenient toward rioters. Political analysts believe Bhujbal’s induction will help the alliance secure OBC votes in northern Maharashtra.

Bhujbal’s re-entry was facilitated by the exit of Dhananjay Munde. Munde, also a prominent OBC leader, was asked to resign after his confidant Valmiki Karad was arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a sarpanch.

Munde was the Civil Supplies minister, and Bhujbal is likely to take over the same portfolio. However, the final decision on the portfolio will be made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The decision to reinduct Bhujbal has put an end to speculation that he was contemplating leaving the NCP to form an independent outfit.

His swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. Both leaders welcomed the move, stating that Bhujbal’s vast experience as a minister will benefit the government.