Caste census, Sharad Pawar factor, OBC politics: Why Chhagan Bhujbal is again man of the hour

A known survivor, Bhujbal has again demonstrated the trait that has helped him through the many ups and downs in his long political career, including a stint in prison.

Since the Mahayuti government returned to power six months ago and he found himself out of a ministerial berth, Bhujbal has ensured he remained a weighty voice in state politics taking strong positions on contentious issues such as the proposed caste census. As the BJP government at the Centre bit the bullet on the issue, it made it more and more difficult for the Mahayuti to ignore Bhubal, with OBCs set to gain the most from a caste census.

Bhujbal is believed to be one of the initial voices to have raised the issue of ascertaining the exact population of OBCs across the country. When the Centre said a caste census would be held along with the next Census, Bhujbal was among the first to cheer the Narendra Modi government’s decision.

For NCP chief Ajit Pawar, who is a Maratha, leading a party seen as essentially pro-Maratha, the appointment of Bhujbal as minister can be a countervailing force. Marathas have been at odds with OBCs over the issue of reservation, and Bhujbal has been one of the most prominent leaders opposing such a quota for Marathas.

Bringing Bhujbal back in the tent is also useful for Ajit at a time when there is growing buzz of his party getting back together with the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar. Bhujbal continues to enjoy an excellent rapport with Sharad Pawar, despite going with Ajit in the NCP split.

A week ago, commenting on a possible merger of the two NCP factions, Bhujbal said: “If families which have strained relations reunite, it is a happy moment. The coming together of the NCP and NCP (SP) will make us stronger collectively.”

With his return to the Cabinet Tuesday, Bhujbal has shut the naysayers who predicted that his non-induction as minister after the 2024 Assembly polls meant the beginning of the end for him. A senior NCP leader requesting anonymity had then observed, “Bhujbal has held important posts both in the government as well as the organisation. Now, he has to take a backseat and make way for youngsters.”

It wasn’t the first time someone underestimated Bhujbal, who once upon a time made a living as a fruit vendor. His lucky break came with his association with the late Sena founder Bal Thackeray. After securing a diploma in mechanical engineering, Bhujbal joined the Sena under Bal Thackeray’s leadership, and climbed the rungs after starting out as a corporator.

In 1991, when he left the then united Sena to join the Congress along with 16 MLAs, he dealt a big blow to the party and Thackeray himself. The mastermind behind it was believed to be Sharad Pawar, then a Union Defence Minister, though the Thackerays’ Maratha politics also played a role.

Later, when Sharad Pawar founded his own party, the NCP, in June 1999, parting ways with the Congress over Sonia Gandhi’s “foreign origins”, Bhujbal joined him. He went on to become the NCP president, and held important portfolios in governments in which the NCP was a part.

On July 2, 2023, he surprised many by siding with Ajit Pawar in his rebellion against Sharad Pawar. The belief of many was that Bhujbal was seeking peace with the BJP, as he was facing many corruption allegations. He had already spent a two-year stint in jail (2016-18), and was understandably wary.

After Ajit Pawar’s NCP tied up with the BJP, Bhujbal was among the top choices for minister. Now he returns there, the hiatus over.