INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NAGPUR: From political obscurity pre-2019, to gaining a foothold in power in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, to joining the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP's
Mahayuti, veteran politician Chhagan Bhujbal is now being positioned for a bigger role by OBC leaders amid the reservation row
The November 17 OBC rally in Jalna has reignited the buzz that Bhujbal could launch a political party of his own.Leaders on the dais at the
OBC show of strength had egged him on to become the CM, form a new political front and change the political landscape of the state.The most
surprising show of support came from one of the biggest OBC voices, Vijay Wadettiwar-with whom Bhujbal has had frosty ties-who stopped short
of saying that he is ready to quit Congress and join Bhujbal under a new political banner
"I will say this openly Bhujbal saheb
If we are not getting justice at the place we currently are, then let's salute this yellow flag (the symbolic colour of the OBC community)
By coming together, we will have the strength to change the scenario inMaharashtra
This is my word," said Wadettiwar.MLC Rajesh Rathod, echoed him
"Bhujbal saheb, you started this fight, but now, the public is behind you
We will stand with you regardless of what happens."Former legislator Narayan Munde, a senior leader from the Banjara community, said, "The
current situation the OBC community faces is because we are not in power
Hence, Bhujbal saheb, we want you to be our general
You should become the chief minister
The OBC voters are behind you
You start preparations for becoming the CM."Bhujbal himself did not directly comment on this aspect at the rally, but gave enough hints that
he is now aware of his newfound political strength
"There are leaders from BJP also present here, and I want to tell them something
It is said that 60% of OBCs vote for BJP, but if tomorrow, the voters see that their reservation is going to be impacted then what will they
do?" he said.Speculation about Bhujbal floating his own outfit -considering that his clout traverses the OBC, dalit and Muslim
communities-has been on for over a decade
Before 2014, there were talks that Bhujbal and the late Gopinath Munde would form a new political front
After Munde's death came major legal troubles for Bhujbal, putting all such plans on the backburner.
