Mumbai : From a vegetable vendor in Byculla market to becoming one of the most unassailable names in the corridors of power, Chhagan Bhujbal’s rise has been quite meteoric. However, soon after his party was thrown out of power, the upward journey of the former deputy chief minister and the ex-PWD minister has rapidly taken a U-turn.
Bhujbal started his political carrier from Shiv Sena as a Shakha Pramukh at Mazgaon 1960. He was first elected as a corporator from Mazgaon in 1973, by that time Bhujbal established his reputation as outspoken, daredevil and fearless leader of the Sena brigade.
Before entering politics, he was a vegetable vendor in Byculla Market where his mother used to sell fruits in a small shop. He completed his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from VJTI, Bombay.
From beginning, he was a daredevil leader and established himself as a firebrand in Shiv Sena leader. He later elected as a mayor of Mumbai twice in 1985 and 1991. During his tenure, he started the campaign ‘Swachha Mumbai- Harit Mumbai’ (Clean Mumbai- Green Mumbai). He was amongst earliest MLAs of Shiv Sena elected from Mazgaon segment first in 1985 and again in 1990.
When Shiv Sena appointed Manohar Joshi as the opposition leader in Assembly in 1990, Bhujbal was unhappy with the party’s decision and was fuming. Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray cooled down his rebellion. However, he was not happy with the treatment given to him by the party.
Congress leader Sharad Pawar offered him to join Congress and he joined the party along with his fellow Sena MLAs and was made housing minister. After split in Congress he remained with Sharad Pawar and became his most trusted man.
In next election of 1995 Bhujbal lost the Mazgaon seat to Sena nominee Bala Nandgaonkar. After that Shiv Sena-BJP alliance came into power in Maharashtra. Though Bhujbal lost assembly election he was elected in Legislative Council and was made Leader of Opposition. As an opposition leader Bhujbal targeted Sena leader Raj Thackeray by raising the issue of Ramesh Kini murder case.
By the time, Bhujbal had emerged as the OBC leader in Maharashtra and the Congress-NCP led government was formed in the state. He was appointed as deputy chief minister. It can now be said that his political growth was accompanied by the economic growth also.
After facing a defeat in 1995 Bhujbal left Mazgaon and contested the election from Yeola constituency in Nashik district. In 2009 he himself and his son got elected as MLAs and his nephew as an MP.
From the beginning, Bhujbal was a favourite child of controversy. But after he became deputy chief minister in 2003, Bhujbal was at the centre of a controversy for allegedly sheltering kingpin of multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, Abdul Karim Telgi. However, there was no case filed against him at that time due to lack of evidence.
The ACB has started probing whether Bhujbal indeed owns properties worth over Rs 2,350 crore. It has already filed two FIRs against him in case of a land transfer to infrastructure giant IndiaBulls and another case of illegal subcontract in construction of the Maharashtra Sadan.
According to NCP’s senior leader, the ACB action might end Bhujbal’s political career. “If a perception is created against a politician it becomes difficult for him to come out clean,” he said.
