The vacant post of guardian minister for Nashik sparked a sharp exchange between Kumbh Mela Minister Girish Mahajan and former guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Independence Day, exposing internal discontent within the Mahayuti alliance.
While hoisting the national flag in Nashik, Mahajan was advised by Bhujbal to “pay enough attention to Jalgaon too”. Following this, Mahajan shot back, “Bhujbal Saheb, don’t worry about Jalgaon. We are going to bring power there single-handedly. Since I have the responsibility of the entire north Maharashtra, I will stop after I reach Nashik.”
The confrontation occurred amid a political tussle over the guardian ministership of Nashik, which has remained vacant for the past eight months. The post was briefly allotted to Mahajan in January when the Fadnavis government announced a list of guardian ministers.
However, the decision was revoked within two days following objections from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party. Since then, all three Mahayuti parties have been eyeing the post.
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Party leaders say Mahajan, though tasked with overseeing the Kumbh Mela, has kept a distance from joint meetings with other Mahayuti constituents in Nashik. Observers note that it is not easy for a senior leader like Bhujbal to accept Mahajan’s leadership.
Bhujbal, who was unable to attend the flag-hoisting ceremony in Gondia due to health issues, used the Nashik platform to target Mahajan with remarks about his Jamner constituency. Mahajan’s quick retort set off a political storm, with their war of words still dominating local discussions two days later.
