Bhujbal becomes Deputy Chief Minister for third time

Mumbai, Nov 7 : A veteran leader of the backward classes in Maharashtra, Chhagan Bhujbal enjoys the privilege of being Deputy Chief Minister for a third term.

Chosen by Nationalist Congress Party supremo and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar amid other front runners, including party strongman Ajit Pawar and NCP State President R R Patil, Mr Bhujbal was an aggresive Shiv Sainik once and was even the deputy chief minister from October 18, 1999, to December 23, 2003, when he had to quit following the fake stamp paper racket.

He got back the post in December last year when Mr Chavan took over the reins of the party.

The 61-year-old Bhujbal was elected to the State Assembly in the recent elections from Yeola in Nashik.

Mr Bhujbal started his political career with the Shiv Sena.

He left the party in 1991 and joined the Indian National Congress. He parted ways with the Congress along with Mr Pawar and formed the Nationalist Congress Party.

Mr Bhujbal is a powerful OBC leader and has a mass base in Maharshtra. He belongs to the 'Mali community'.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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