Bhujbal going strong but son has a fight on his hands

The father-son duo are contesting from the adjacent constituencies of Yeola and Nandgaon in Nashik district, respectively.

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal once disguised himself as an Arab Sheikh in the 80s to ensure he could meet his supporters in the hostile streets of Belgaum even as the Karnataka police was hunting for him.

Three decades later, despite being surrounded by a huge entourage of minders and poll managers, his 41-year-old son Pankaj Bhujbal lacks his father’s gumption and is visibly at unease among the crowd in Nandgaon, from where he is seeking a re-election in the October 15 Assembly polls.

Pankaj’s supporters claim he is just soft-spoken and shy, but his detractors says he is a recluse and represents the growing trend in India of heirs being forced to join politics against their will.

“He is not cut out for politics. Even the responsibility of getting him elected rests on his father, who is going all out to ensure he does not suffer a setback,” Arun Tawde, an activist from Manmad, which falls in Yeola constituency, says.

The father-son duo are contesting from the adjacent constituencies of Yeola and Nandgaon in Nashik district, respectively.

After his defeat in the 1995 Assembly elections from Mazgaon, Chhagan did not contest the 1999 elections and was looking for a safe seat from the state when local politicians from Yeola approached him asking him to contest from their area in 2004.
Since his election, Yeola has been transformed with large-scale cosmetic changes. The money spent there by the Public Works Department, which he headed, means the town has one of the best road networks in the state. It is also one of the few small towns in the country which boasts of a swimming pool.

His clout has meant that many of his erstwhile detractors are now supporting him. Most candidates put up against Chhagan are weak.

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His main competition is his one-time supporter Sambhaji Pawar, who is contesting as a Shiv Sena candidate.

“Chhagan Bhujbal has done work in the constituency. People are happy with his performance,” Santosh Mane, a local shopkeeper from Yeola, says.

However, things are different for ‘s son Pankaj. Although his constituency too has seen some changes, thanks to his father’s PWD, basic infrastructure issues have remained unaddressed.

Manmad, which falls under Pankaj’s constituency, was once famous for having the largest granary in Asia and being a prominent Railway junction. Today, it is infamous for water taps running dry for 45 days together in 2013.

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“He may be Bhujbal’s son, but our MLA lacks the dynamism of his father,” says Santosh Khopade, a resident of Manmad. Many locals say the MLA remains inaccessible. When contacted by The Indian Express, Pankaj Bhujbal declined to be interviewed.

Pankaj is facing a serious challenge from Shiv Sena’s Suhas Kande, who is known to have criminal antecedents. Pankaj’s other competitor is Advay Hire from the BJP. The battle is so intense that Chhagan Bhujbal has been forced to send people from Yeola to ensure his son’s victory.

Zeeshan Shaikh

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. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More