NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal
Credit: Raj Bhavan
Mumbai: In a surprising development ahead of Maharashtra local bodies elections, veteran OBC stalwart and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal made a comeback as a Cabinet minister in the MahaYuti-NDA government.
“All is well that ends well,” said Bhujbal, a former Deputy Chief Minister and one of the most experienced politicians, on his induction to the government.
The 77-year-old Bhujbal, who hails from the Mali-OBC community, is known as a comeback man and he is back again after he was left sulking in December 2024, when he was not indicted into the ministry.
Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Bhujbal in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, the chief leader of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar, who is the NCP President.
Credit: Raj Bhavan
"Bhujbal is known as an OBC leader, and including him in the cabinet will strengthen the Maharashtra government. Bhujbal will play a major role in fulfilling the resolve of 'Viksit Maharashtra’,” state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule said.
“I congratulate Bhujbal wholeheartedly. There is no doubt that his vast experience in politics and social work will be very useful in the work of the cabinet,” said Ajit Pawar.
“Bhujbal has served as a minister before as well. He has led many departments. He is an experienced minister. He is also a Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray. He started from the Shiv Sena. He started from corporator, mayor and went on to become an MLA and a minister. He has held many positions. Today, he has taken the oath again. I want to congratulate him. His experience will benefit the government,” said Shinde.
Bhujbal, who is the founder-President of Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, is one of those who had campaigned for caste census.
Bhujbal’s inclusion in the Cabinet follows the March 2025 resignation of NCP’s Dhananjay Munde, a few months ago, who had to step down as the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister, after the arrest of his close aide Walmik Karad in the murder case of Santosh Deshmukh, the Sarpanch of Massajog village.
Bhujbal is a seven-time MLA and one-term MLC, who has held several ministerial responsibilities like Urban Development, Home, Tourism, Food and Civil Supplies besides being a Deputy Chief Minister.
“I once again resolve on this occasion to work honestly and devotedly for the welfare of all sections of the society, following the principles, thoughts and ideals of the Constitution. I am confident that the blessings of all of you are always with me,” Bhujbal said in a statement after the swearing-in ceremony.
NCP welcomes Bhujbal in ministry
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, the NCP welcomed Bhujbal during the pre-Cabinet meeting of the NCP. Ajit Pawar presented a bouquet to him amid the presence of ministers Hasan Mushrif, Dattatray Bharne, Aditi Tatkare, Narahari Jirwal.
MVA hits out at govt on corruption
Hours after Bhujbal was inducted as a minister, the Maha Vikas Aghadi hit out at the Maha Yuti dispensation over corruption.
Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal said: “Bhujbal also got cleaned up in the BJP's washing machine today. The BJP has now vindicated Bhujbal, who was accused by the ED and sent to jail. It has been proven once again that the BJP can go to any extent and do anything for power.”
NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto accused the BJP of double standards and said BJP fought tooth and nail to prove that Bhujbal is corrupt, but today, the same person was inducted in the ministry. “BJP's new mantra…first, we call you corrupt, then we take you, then we wash you, then you win,” he said.