26 October,2009 07:27 PM IST | | IANS
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Chhagan Bhujbal has been appointed the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra for the third time, a top party leader announced.
Senior NCP leader Praful Patel announced Bhujbal's selection as the NCP Legislature Party leader and the deputy chief minister at a press conference on Monday evening.
Bhujbal pipped strong contenders - state NCP chief RR Patil, and party strongman Ajit Pawar, nephew of party leader Sharad Pawar - to the coveted post.
The aggressive former Shiv Sainik, Bhujbal was the state deputy chief minister from October 18, 1999-Dec 23, 2003.
ALSO READ
Maharashtra polls: Sharad Pawar makes it personal, calls for defeating 'betrayer' Chhagan Bhujbal
Chhagan Bhujbal denies he joined BJP alliance because of ED cases against him
Chhagan Bhujbal denies he joined BJP alliance because of ED cases against him
Chhagan Bhujbal denies he joined BJP alliance because of ED cases against him
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Chhagan Bhujbal campaigns for Zeeshan Siddique
He was re-appointed December 4, 2008, for a second term to the post, but minus the home portfolio that earlier went with it.
