Nashik's Political Clout Rises As Chhagan Bhujbal Takes Oath As Maharashtra Minister

Political developments in Nashik district are currently gaining momentum. Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar group) and former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal took oath as a minister on Tuesday. Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Bhujbal at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and 50 other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Bhujbal's oath has given Nashik district its fourth ministerial post, which has increased its political weight. Earlier, Shiv Sena (Shinde group) MLA Dada Bhuse from Malegaon Outer, NCP's Sinnar MLA Manikrao Kokate and Dindori MLA Narhari Jirwal had received ministerial posts. Now, with the inclusion of Bhujbal, Nashik district's influence in the Mahayuti government has increased.

The Mahayuti government has given a big opportunity to Ajit Pawar's NCP in Nashik district by giving Bhujbal a ministerial berth. With this, the number of NCP ministers in Nashik district has reached three. These include Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Jirwal and now Chhagan Bhujbal. Although it is not yet clear which portfolio Bhujbal will get, but it is likely that he will get the responsibility of the Food and Civil Supplies department vacated by Dhananjay Munde. This has increased the strength of Ajit Pawar's NCP in Nashik.

Nashik gets four ministerial berths

Nashik district has a total of four ministerial berths, which have increased the political importance of the district. Like Nashik, Satara district has also got four ministerial berths. Four of the eight MLAs from Satara have been given ministerial berths and have been given important portfolios. BJP's Shivendraraje Bhosale has been given the Public Works Department, Jayakumar Gore has been given the Rural Development Department, Shiv Sena's Shambhuraj Desai has been given the Tourism, Mines and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Department, while Ajit Pawar's NCP's Makarand Patil has been given the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department.

Competition for the Guardian Minister's post of Nashik

Bhujbal's ministerial berth has intensified the competition for the Guardian Minister's post of Nashik. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will be organised in Nashik in the near future, so the Guardian Minister's post is of special importance. The names of BJP's Girish Mahajan, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) minister Dada Bhuse and now Chhagan Bhujbal are in competition for this post. CM Devendra Fadnavis wants to appoint Girish Mahajan as the Guardian Minister, as he is considered his trusted colleague. Mahajan has also served as the Guardian Minister of Nashik during the previous Kumbh Mela. On the other hand, Bhuse has also claimed the guardian minister post. Due to Bhujbal's ministerial post, the NCP is also insistent on this post. On January 18, 2025, the Fadnavis government had announced Girish Mahajan as the guardian minister of Nashik, but this decision was postponed after the Shiv Sena expressed displeasure over this.

Nashik and Satara's dominance

Both Nashik and Satara districts have been effective in the Mahayuti government. With four ministerial posts each, these districts have increased their political weight. It is expected that the dispute over the guardian minister post in Nashik will be resolved soon. It will be clear in the coming time who among Mahajan, Bhuse and Bhujbal will become the guardian minister of Nashik. However, at present, all three parties—BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP—are strengthening their claim for this post. Nashik politics is going to get more colorful in the coming time.

Celebration in Nashik

After Bhujbal took oath, office bearers and workers of NCP celebrated in Nashik by dancing to the beats of drums, bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Office bearers and workers of the NCP and Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad celebrated at the Bhujbal Farm Office in Nashik and the NCP office at Mumbai Naka. On this occasion, the office bearers thanked the Fadnavis, Shinde and Pawar.

Senior NCP leader Nanasaheb Mahale, state office bearer Gorakh Bodke, Youth City President Ambadas Khaire, City President Kavita Kardak, Women District President Prerna Balkawade, Youth District President Yogesh Nisal, Sanjay Khairnar, Pooja Aher, Asha Bhandure, Santosh Bhujbal, Nana Pawar, Ravi Hirve, Amol Naik, Sanket Nimse, Chinmay Gade, Nana Sable, Samadhan Tiwande, Nirmala Sawant, Venkatesh Jadhav, Balasaheb Kathe, Kuldeep Jejurkar, Rupali Pathade, Vinod Doke, Dnyaneshwar Mahajan, Rehan Sheikh, Anil Nale, Santosh Pund, Nana Naikwadi and a large number of office bearers and activists were present on this occasion.