Bhujbal takes aim at former mentor Sharad Pawar, draws flak

In Nagpur, questions role of ‘some NCP (SP) MLAs’ in the violence at Antarwali-Sarati village, which made Jarange-Patil prominent

By: Express News Service

Mumbai | September 20, 2025 10:53 AM IST

3 min read

On Friday, Bhujbal clarified that he did not name NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for being behind it. “Whatever I have said is on video,” he added. (File)

A day after senior Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal questioned the role of “some MLAs” of NCP (SP), his former mentor Sharad Pawar’s party, in the violence at Antarwali-Sarati village of Jalna district in September 2023, which propelled Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to prominence, Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule asked Bhujbal to submit evidence, if any, to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the Home department.

On Thursday, during a meeting of the All India Mahatma Phule Samta Parishad in Nagpur, Bhujbal made the remarks. “Jarange-Patil had staged hunger strikes at least 25 times before that. No one used to take note. But, two years ago, he was on hunger strike and had refused to go to the hospital as requested by police. However, the previous night, a meeting was held in which some MLAs from NCP (SP) took part. Stones were stored at the agitation site and police were attacked… After this, police carried out lathicharge… no one knew Jarange-Patil at the time but the support of the NCP (SP) emboldened him,” Bhujbal said, without naming the MLAs.

On Friday, Bhujbal clarified that he did not name NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar for being behind it. “Whatever I have said is on video,” he added.

Sule, replying to Bhujbal, said she considers him as a fatherly figure and has deep respect for him. “With folded hands, I request Bhujbal ji to let all know about the details of the meeting. When was it held, where was it held and who attended it,” she said. Sule added that as Fadnavis also holds the Home portfolio, “in case of possession of such information, it should be given to the Home department”.

“When Bhujbal was with the Shiv Sena, he used to praise Balasaheb Thackeray. Then for 20 years, Sharad Pawar became his leader. Now, he thinks Devendra Fadnavis is his leader. It is democracy. Everyone has a right to say what they want,” said Sule.

NCP (SP) OBC unit chief Raj Rajapurkar was, however, more direct and said Bhujbal’s identity as a OBC leader is because of Pawar. “Had it not been for Sharad Pawar, Bhujbal’s identity would not have been of an OBC leader… if Bhujbal is really concerned about OBCs, he should donate his property to the needy OBCs,” said Rajapurkar. He added that Bhujbal was targeting Pawar after “taking a contract (supari) from someone”.

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