Bhujbal cosies up to the Shiv Sena

Former Shiv Sainik and state PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal seems to have found new favour with the Sena, post his demotion from deputy CM's post

Last Friday's edition of theu00a0 Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamna carried a front page article about State Minister for Public Works Chhagan Bhujbal's support for the Shiv Sena.

The party's newfound love for the Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad (MPSP) founder comes after Bhujbal reacted to Thursday's year-long suspension of four Sena MLAs for un-parliamentary behaviour with "I too would have behaved the same way (protested against the government), had I been there."

This follows Bhujbal's much-publicised hurt at being demoted from the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Is he hinting at his intentions to move on from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)?

It is no secret that Bhujbal no longer enjoys the same clout that he used to in the NCP, of which he is a founder member. When this reporter asked him for a reaction to his demotion, he made his displeasure obvious with, "I am human, not au00a0 saint. If you are demoted to the post of sub-editor from the post of editor, it's obvious that you will be hurt too."

Bhujbal has been growing close to the Sena for a while now. The Thackeray and Bhujbal parties have been enjoying a good rapport for a while, and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's verbal volleys toward him have also ceased in the recent past.

A former Sainik, Bhujbal was even present as Chief Guest at a sports event organised by a Sena MP last year (before the roster was changed at the last minute), fuelling talk that he might even float his own party soon.
The man himself, however, denies any such intentions.

"I was amongst the founding members of the party, who was present when it was registered.

I am not leaving," he said, categorically.

We're not so sure, considering Bhujbal's obvious discomfiture at the promotion of Ajit Pawar, his junior in terms of experience, to the post of Deputy CM, with the support of a majority of NCP members.