Last Sunday dropped a bombshell on Maharashtra politics as NCP leader Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar and jumped ship to join the BJP-Shiv Sena government as a Deputy Chief Minister. However, what caught everyone off guard were the visuals of Chhagan Bhujbal taking oath as minister alongside eight other rebels. Bhujbal was known to be a fierce loyalist of Sharad Pawar, providing unwavering support in all circumstances. Pawar had played a pivotal role in shaping Bhujbal's political career.
Chhagan Bhujbal's political journey began with the Shiv Sena. Starting as a humble vegetable vendor in the Byculla market, Bhujbal was captivated by Bal Thackeray's strong anti-non-Maharashtrian stance. He joined the party and quickly climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the mayor of Bombay and an MLA.
In 1990, when the Shiv Sena emerged as the largest opposition party, Bhujbal aspired to be the Leader of the Opposition. However, Bal Thackeray offered the coveted position to another trusted confidant, Manohar Joshi. This deeply angered Bhujbal, leading him to feel being unfairly treated by Thackeray.
Sharad Pawar keenly observed Bhujbal's dissatisfaction. In 1991, with Pawar's support, Bhujbal rebelled against the Shiv Sena and joined the Congress party with 18 MLAs. Bal Thackeray, furious with this move, derogatorily referred to him as "Lakhoba", a negative character from a Marathi play.
From then on, Bhujbal became a staunch loyalist of Pawar. Bhujbal's rebellion dealt a significant blow to the Shiv Sena's strength in the Vidhan Sabha, forcing them to surrender the Leader of the Opposition post to the BJP as their numbers diminished due to the rebellion.
In 1999, when Sharad Pawar defected from the Congress and formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bhujbal joined his ranks. Pawar rewarded Bhujbal for his loyalty by appointing him as the deputy chief minister and home minister when the NCP, in alliance with the Congress, formed the government in Maharashtra in 1999. Pawar stood firmly beside Bhujbal when he became embroiled in the infamous multi-billion fake stamp paper scam, known as the Telgi scam.
Despite spending two years behind bars in connection with the Maharashtra Sadan scam, investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, Bhujbal was once again appointed as a minister in the MVA government, formed in 2019, thanks to Pawar's unwavering support.
In May this year, when Sharad Pawar offered his resignation as the president of the NCP, Bhujbal was among the leaders who fervently implored Pawar to reconsider his decision.
The recent political turmoil in Maharashtra, fuelled by leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal, has led some to suspect whether this entire fiasco has been orchestrated by Sharad Pawar himself. Pawar has a notorious reputation for engaging in unscrupulous political maneuvers.
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