One of the biggest shocks from the swearing-in of Mahayuti government ministers on Sunday was the omission of Chhagan Bhujbal's name from the cabinet list. An NCP stalwart, Bhujbal is a former Deputy CM and has held key portfolios in both the previous Mahayuti and MVA governments. He is also regarded as one of the tallest leaders of the OBC community in India. Before the swearing-in, Bhujbal was widely considered a "default name" for the cabinet. Now, an enraged Bhujbal is hinting that he may soon take a major decision regarding his political trajectory.
1) Outbursts against Maratha agitators
Last year, when the Maratha agitation for reservations in jobs and education turned violent and OBC leaders were attacked, Bhujbal made statements that aggravated the Mahayuti government’s challenges. While the government was attempting to placate Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil, Bhujbal—then a minister—openly targeted Jarange. This did not sit well with either the alliance partners or his own party. Bhujbal tried to consolidate his position as an OBC leader by speaking against the Maratha agitators, but his rhetoric further alienated Marathas from Mahayuti. One of the prime reasons for Mahayuti's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls was the ire of Marathas.
2) Strained relationship with Ajit Pawar
Bhujbal was keen to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Nashik. However, after a deadlock during seat-sharing discussions, Ajit Pawar left the seat for Shiv Sena’s Hemant Godse, which irked Bhujbal. He remained hopeful of entering Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, but during elections, Ajit Pawar nominated his wife Sunetra instead of Bhujbal. At the time, Bhujbal’s displeasure with Ajit Pawar was publicly evident.
Further, Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer rebelled against the party and contested as an independent candidate from Nandgaon against Mahayuti’s official candidate Suhas Kande. Bhujbal’s failure to convince Sameer to withdraw his nomination also worked against him.
NCP workers close to Ajit Pawar justify Bhujbal’s exclusion from the cabinet, arguing that the party has already given him his due. In addition to making him a minister in the previous government, his son Pankaj Bhujbal was recently made an MLC.
3) Strategy to build next-generation leadership
It is not just Chhagan Bhujbal who was dropped from the cabinet list. Other stalwarts like Dilip Walse Patil and Baba Dharmarao Atram, were also sidelined. This decision is being justified as part of the party’s strategy to develop younger leadership, with many new faces being given a chance in the cabinet.
Bhujbal still has a chance to become a minister since Mahayuti has announced a policy of replacing ministers after two and a half years. However, those close to Bhujbal suggest he is reconsidering his membership in the NCP. It will become clear within a month whether Ajit Pawar can retain him or if Bhujbal joins the BJP or NCP (SP).
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