Mahayuti internal strife: Bhujbal nephew to take on Shinde Sena candidate in Nandgaon
The announcement follows his resignation as NCP Mumbai president. Voicing concerns about the “atmosphere of fear” created by the sitting Shiv Sena MLA, Sameer underscored rising dissatisfaction within the coalition.
Sameer Bhujbal, a former NCP Lok Sabha MP from Nashik. (Photo: Instagram/ sameerbhujbal09)
In the first sign of discord within the leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, Sameer Bhujbal, a former NCP Lok Sabha MP from Nashik and nephew of senior NCP Minister Chaggan Bhujbal, has declared that he would run as an independent candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections from Nandgaon in Nashik district.
The announcement follows his resignation as NCP Mumbai president. Voicing concerns about the “atmosphere of fear” created by the sitting Shiv Sena MLA, Sameer underscored rising dissatisfaction within the coalition. The constituency is represented by Shiv Sena’s Suhas Kande, who has been renominated by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, further intensifying the alliance’s tensions.
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In his resignation letter, Sameer stated that he felt compelled to contest as an independent due to the demands of Nandgaon residents.
“Over the past five years, the atmosphere in this constituency has become very toxic, and the citizens here are living in fear.
Nandgaon’s workers, office-bearers, and citizens have personally met me and expressed their concerns. Considering the growing demands of Nandgaon’s citizens and the atmosphere of fear, I have decided to contest the upcoming Assembly elections to bring about change,” he said.
Sameer’s candidacy highlights the ongoing feud between Suhas Kande and senior NCP leader Chaggan Bhujbal, a conflict that has persisted despite numerous attempts at mediation by Mahayuti leaders. For the Bhujbals, Kande is seen as an upstart who challenged their long-standing dominance in Nandgaon, a constituency previously represented by Bhujbal’s son, Pankaj, for two terms in 2009 and 2014. Kande, who lost to Pankaj in 2014, claimed victory in 2019 by over 14,000 votes.
Kande’s political journey has been marked by upheaval. Initially aligned with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), he was once considered close to the Bhujbals. However, his switch to the Shiv Sena led to escalating tensions, particularly after the formation of the MVA government and Bhujbal’s appointment as Nashik’s guardian minister.
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Kande perceived Bhujbal as holding a grudge against him for defeating his son, leading to several public confrontations between them during government meetings.
Kande even approached the Bombay High Court in September 2021, seeking the removal of Chhagan Bhujbal as Nashik’s guardian minister.
He raised questions about why the Anti-Corruption Bureau had not contested the Bhujbals’ discharge in the Maharashtra Sadan scam case.
The split in the Shiv Sena and the emergence of the Eknath Shinde-led government placed Kande and Bhujbal in opposing political camps, though the inclusion of Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP in the state government brought them back onto the same political spectrum. Despite this, their rivalry remains unyielding. During the Lok Sabha elections, Kande accused Bhujbal of undermining the BJP candidate.
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Sameer’s decision to contest is perceived as a strategic move by the Bhujbal family to politically undermine Kande. While Chaggan Bhujbal, who has been nominated by the NCP from the neighboring Yevla constituency, has refrained from commenting on Sameer’s decision, insiders suggest it has his tacit approval.
These developments reflect the Mahayuti leaders’ struggle to address the discontent brewing within a coalition of leaders from diverse political backgrounds. Kande, undeterred, expressed his readiness to contest against any member of the Bhujbal family.
“In my view, both Sameer and Pankaj are politically inexperienced. I am prepared to face Chaggan Bhujbal as well, and I will emerge victorious,” Kande asserted.
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
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