Volatile mix: Bhujbal omission, rise of OBCs & Maratha clout

Maharashtra's turmoil deepens with Bhujbal's exclusion, OBC unrest, and the gruesome murder of a sarpanch

- ABHAY MOKASHI

The current political scenario in Maharashtra is nothing to be proud of. The past few days have witnessed events that would make any resident of the state feel pained.

The present Mahayuti government in the state, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), initially failed to form a government in a reasonable time. Later, it struggled to allocate portfolios to ministers, who were sworn in only after apparent haggling over who should be included in the cabinet and who should not.

Though, in a coalition government, the leadership of the constituent parties has the right to select members for ministerial appointments, the Chief Minister has the final say in the team's selection.

The exclusion of Chhagan Bhujbal, a veteran politician in the state, from the Cabinet has shocked many of his supporters. However, this should not come as a surprise to political analysts, as the decision seems to be a mix of the Bharatiya Janata Party's anti-Dalit/anti-backward class stance and its history of politically sidelining individuals and parties that form alliances with it.

Bhujbal, an engineer by qualification, is recognized as the leader of the backward class in the state and has a following in some other states as well. He has held important political posts, including being the mayor of Mumbai, and holding several portfolios in the state cabinet, including Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.