Sanjay Raut: No talks between Bhujbal and Sena (UBT) about party switch

Sanjay Raut/ ANI screengrab

Sanjay Raut of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) indicated on Wednesday that there have been no negotiations between NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal and the Shiv Sena (UBT) about Bhujbal joining the party, and such a move is not possible.

According to a PTI report, Raut was asked if Bhujbal, a famous OBC leader and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, was in talks with the Sena (UBT) over internal NCP group concerns led by Ajit Pawar.

Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, acknowledged Bhujbal's past association with Shiv Sena. He clarified, "There is not an iota of truth in reports that talks are being held between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Bhujbal. There has been no dialogue between Sena (UBT) and Chhagan Bhujbal and there is no possibility of it."

Bhujbal, a former firebrand leader of the undivided Shiv Sena, quit the party nearly three decades ago to join the Congress, ultimately joining Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). In 2023, Bhujbal was one of eight NCP leaders sworn in as ministers alongside Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, indicating a split in the party founded by Sharad Pawar, reported PTI.

According to reports, Bhujbal is upset since he was refused a Lok Sabha ticket from Nashik as well as a Rajya Sabha seat, which was granted to Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar. Sunetra Pawar was beaten in the recent Lok Sabha elections by Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, the report added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister and towering OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal recently stated that the Maratha people will not be awarded reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. Bhujbal also reiterated his plea for a caste census in Maharashtra.

Bhujbal, per the PTI report, stated, "The Maratha community cannot be given reservation from the OBC quota. We are not saying this, but the past four commissions (on reservation) have stated the same. Even the Supreme Court said no to it."