Chhagan Bhujbal (born 15 October 1947)[1] is an Indian politician from Maharashtra, who is the member of current Government of Maharashtra, headed by Devendra Fadnavis. Currently he is a member of 15th Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra from Yeola Assembly. He also served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2009–2010 and 1999–2003.[2][3][4] He earlier also served as Minister of Public Works Department and Minister of Home Affairs in Government of Maharashtra.
Political career
Before entering politics, Bhujbal was a vegetable vendor in Byculla market where his mother had a small fruit shop. He started his political career with Shiv Sena in the 1960s. After being inspired by Shiv Sena philosophy of Balasaheb Thackeray, Bhujbal evolved into a hardcore Shiv Sainik. He was amongst initial members of the Shiv Sena. During his work as Corporator for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Bhujbal maintained consistent contact, communication with rank and file of his constituency and its neighbourhood. Later, he was elected as mayor of Mumbai twice. He was among the earliest MLAs of Shiv Sena elected from Mazgaon first in 1985 and again in 1990.[5]
He left Shiv Sena in 1991 and joined the Indian National Congress. Later, after the INC leader Sharad Pawar decided to split from the Congress and form his own party, the Nationalist Congress Party, Bhujbal went along with him.[6] Bhujbal contested 2014 General Elections from Nashik Constituency and lost the race to Hemant Godse from Shiv Sena.[7]
Bhujbal is currently Member of Legislative Assembly from Yevla Assembly constituency and has been incumbent since 2004.[8][9][10]
Bhujbal belongs to the Mali (OBC) community.[11][12] He shares strong ties with Bihar politician Upendra Kushwaha. On various occasions, Kushwaha has spoken to media that he considers Bhujbal as well as Sharad Pawar as his mentor and relies on them for his political decisions.[13]
Early life and studies
Chhagan Bhujbal was born into a poor Marathi Mali family in Nashik. He pursued his secondary and higher secondary education at Elphinstone High School in Mumbai. Later, he obtained a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai. From a young age, he actively participated in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses while developing a strong interest in social and political affairs in the state.[14]
Personal life
He is fluent in Marathi, Hindi. He is married to Mrs. Meena Bhujbal, and they have one child. His son, Pankaj Bhujbal, is a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.[15]
Enforcement Directorate proceedings
In December 2017, Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth 20.41 crore rupees belonging to the Bhujbal family under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.[16]
Criticism
Allegations of deteriorating law and order situation in Nashik
Nashik known to be a peaceful district, where law and order situation has collapsed under Bhujbals' political clout. It is witnessing recession in all sectors. Daylight robberies, armed attacks, chain-snatchings and setting of two- and four-wheelers on fire have become routine.[17]
In view of the criticism of the home department, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan sent police commissioner Vinod Lokhande on leave for his dismal performance, while Sameer Bhujbal demanded a CID probe into the collapse of law and order. But a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) official said that when each and every police official has been appointed on the family's recommendations, why should the home department be blamed? Chhagan Bhujbal must accept responsibility and initiate measures to restore the people's confidence.[17]
However, any direct charges against Bhujbal concerning the law and order situation in Nashik could not be matched.
Alleged misuse and mismanagement of trust property
In 2012, Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) filed a criminal complaint against Chhagan Bhujbal, alleging misuse and mismanagement of trust property for family-run furniture business and destruction of evidence in connection.[18]
Attack on Alpha Marathi
On 23 Dec 2003, Chhagan Bhujbal resigned from the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, owning the moral responsibility of attack on Alpha Marathi office in Andheri, Mumbai. A group of workers belonging to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) attacked the office of Alpha Marathi, which belongs to the Zee Group. They were upset with the channel for airing a satire on Bhujbal's alleged role in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam. NCP president Sharad Pawar told the media on Tuesday night that Bhujbal had sought his permission to resign on moral grounds. Chhagan Bhujbal handed over his resignation to then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sushilkumar Shinde.[19][20]
Dynamics of Conflict
Antagonistic to Maratha Kranti Morcha
Chhagan Bhujbal opposes movement of Maratha Kranti Morcha for reservation demand of Maratha community under the Other Backward Class category despite his constitutional oath to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.[21][22][23][24]
Chhagan Bhujbal suggested the Government of Maharashtra to carry out caste wise "Maharashtra Janganana" refers to the caste wise census of Maharashtra during 2027 census of India. The caste wise census will help to assess the actual outcomes of Reservation Schemes and to draft better targeted and equitable policies.
A 2024 report from the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) indicated that Maratha make up about 28% of the state's population.[25] The exact percentage of the Kunbi caste in Maharashtra is not precisely reported, but they are often grouped with Maratha as part of the Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha cluster, which accounts for approximately 30% to 40% of the state's population. The Kunbi caste has Reservation in the Other Backward Class category. The exact population percentage for the Other Backward Class (OBC) in Maharashtra is disputed, with estimates ranging from 33.8% (based on 2011 census data) to over 38%, as suggested by recent analyses of educational and administrative datasets. A 2022 report by the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) analyzing data from the SARAL and UDISE reports indicated the Other Backward Class (OBC) population exceeding 38%.[26]
The Government of Maharashtra sets up the sub-committee for welfare of the Other Backward Class category amid protests.[27]
Criminal cases
Benami Property Cases
The four separate Criminal cases were lodged against the Nationalist Congress Party Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his firms, namely, M/s. Armstrong Infrastructure Private Limited, Parvesh Constructions Private Limited and M/s. Devisha Constructions Private Limited under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988. The SPECIAL MP/MLA Court revives proceedings against the Nationalist Congress Party Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, kin in ‘Benami Assets’ cases under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988. The cases has now been restored to its original stage and the hearing scheduled before the SPECIAL MP/MLA court in Mumbai. The SPECIAL MP/MLA court restored proceedings against Nationalist Congress Party Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj Bhujbal, nephew Sameer Bhujbal and others related to complaints filed in 2021 under Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 by the Income Tax Department alleging ‘Benami Assets’, two years after they were quashed. The applications seeking to restore the cases back to the stage they were filed by the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Benami Prohibition Unit-I in Mumbai, in December 2024, citing the Supreme Court of India order. In 2021, the Income Tax Department had initiated proceedings under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, against the Nationalist Congress Party Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and others including Satyan Appa Kesarkar, director of the Parvesh Constructions Private Limited, Devisha Infrastructure and Armstrong Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. Following this, a Magistrate Court in November 2021 had issued Summons to them.