Chhagan Bhujbal is known as a prominent OBC face in Maharashtra politics. He is also a good orator and had even acted in several Marathi films in his early days in the politics. He doesn’t hesitate in speaking out his mind and that keeps him involved in some or the other controversy all the time. His acts and words also help him remain in news headlines. It appears as if he loves all this.
Born on October 15, 1947, Chhagan Bhujbal started with a very humble background in Mumbai. With the family roots in Nashik, he used to run a family-owned vegetable shop at Byculla while pursuing his education in engineering. He was also involved in several social activities in the area that led him to join politics under Bal Thackeray. Eventually he became the corporator and then the Mayor of Mumbai. As a prominent Shiv Sena leader, he was known for his fiery speeches and strong organizational skills, which helped him gain popularity among the masses. As Mayor, he gave slogans like ‘Clean Mumbai Green Mumbai’ which became very popular.
Due to internal party politics, Bhujbal switched sides in 1991 and joined the Indian National Congress (INC) under the leadership of Sharad Pawar. He remained loyal to Pawar till 2023 when he left the NCP under Sharad Pawar along with Ajit Pawar and majority of other MLAs of the party. He had served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2009 to 2010 and had been a Cabinet Minister in various capacities, including Public Works, Tourism, and Social Justice during UPA and Mahayuti regimens in the state.
He faced allegations of corruption and misuse of power, which have led to legal battles and investigations. In 2016, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case. However, he consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated. In 2023, he was appointed as the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection in the Eknath Shinde-led government.
While pursuing the politics within the NCP, Bhujbal emerged as a prominent OBC face of the state. He hails from the prominent Mali community. He floated Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad to pursue Mahatma Phule’s social agenda of equality. However, this was the same Bhujbal who, as a Shiv Sena leader, had ‘cleaned’ the Hutatma Smarak (martyre’s memorial at Flora Fountain in Mumbai) with ‘cow urine’ after it was defaced during a Dalit rally just about a couple of years before he joined Congress.
Bhujbal is also known for his keen sense of humour. His speeches in the assembly are spiced with apt anecdotes that make listeners giggle and laugh even as his opponents are hit hard. His standard reply, in jovial manner, whenever a journalist asks him about switching political party remains, “We do it for better prospects!”
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