On May 20, 2025, Chhagan Bhujbal was inducted into the Maharashtra Cabinet as a minister, marking another milestone in his long political career. Chhagan Bhujbal is a well-known politician from Maharashtra, India. His life is a story of hard work, determination, and resilience. Born into a poor family, he rose from selling vegetables to becoming a key figure in Indian politics. This article tells the complete biography of Chhagan Bhujbal in simple English. It covers his early life, education, political journey, achievements, controversies, and current role.
Early Life and Family Background
Chhagan Bhujbal was born on October 15, 1947, in Nashik, Maharashtra. His family was poor. His mother ran a small fruit shop in Mumbai’s Byculla Market. Young Chhagan helped her sell vegetables. Life was tough for him. He grew up in a rural area. He saw the struggles of poor and marginalized people. These experiences shaped his thinking. He wanted to help those in need. Bhujbal’s family belonged to the Mali community, which is an Other Backward Class (OBC). He faced many challenges due to his humble background. But he never gave up.
Bhujbal went to Elphinstone Technical High School in Mumbai. He studied hard and earned a diploma in mechanical engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai. His education gave him confidence. It also opened new doors for him. Even as a student, he was active and bold. He took part in college events and showed leadership skills. Once, he won a prize in a one-act play competition, beating actor Amjad Khan, who later became famous. This showed Bhujbal’s talent for speaking and performing.
Chhagan Bhujbal Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Political Party, Wife, Daughter, Son, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chhagan Bhujbal |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1947 |
| Place of Birth | Nashik, Maharashtra, India |
| Education | SSC from Elphinstone Technical High School, Mumbai (1964); Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai |
| Family | Wife: Meena Bhujbal; Son: Pankaj Bhujbal (politician); Daughter: Durga Bhujbal; Daughter-in-law: Vishakha Bhujbal; Nephew: Sameer Bhujbal |
| Early Life | Born into a poor family; orphaned at age five; raised by grandmother in Mazgaon, Mumbai; worked as a vegetable vendor at Byculla Market |
| Community/Caste | Other Backward Class (OBC), Mali caste |
| Political Party | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP, Ajit Pawar faction); previously with Shiv Sena (1960s–1991) and Congress |
| Political Career Start | Began with Shiv Sena in the 1960s; elected to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 1972 |
| Key Political Roles | - Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (1999–2003, 2009–2010) - Cabinet Minister of Food and Civil Supply, Consumer Affairs (2025) - Minister of PWD & Home Affairs (past) - Member of 14th & 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Yeola constituency) |
| Notable Achievements | - Spearheaded Mumbai-Pune Expressway - Advocated for social justice & reservations - Promoted Marathi culture and heritage |
| Controversies | - Resigned as Deputy CM (2003) after NCP workers' attack on Alpha Marathi office - Money laundering allegations; assets attached (2017), clean chit (2021) - 2012 Mumbai Educational Trust complaint |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million (as of 2024), from political career and real estate investments |
| Languages | Fluent in Hindi, Marathi, and English |
| Other Interests | Passion for Marathi literature & cinema; supports education and community development initiatives |
| Recent Developments | - Rejoined Maharashtra cabinet in 2025 amid OBC-Maratha tensions - Expressed dissatisfaction with NCP leadership over cabinet exclusion (2024) |
Entry into Politics
Bhujbal started his political career in the 1960s. He joined the Shiv Sena, a political party led by Bal Thackeray. The Shiv Sena fought for the rights of Marathi-speaking people. Bhujbal was inspired by Thackeray’s ideas. He became a loyal member of the party. He worked hard to spread Shiv Sena’s message across Maharashtra. His fiery speeches and connection with people made him popular. He became one of the early members of Shiv Sena. He served as a corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). He stayed in touch with the people in his area. They trusted him because he listened to their problems.
In 1985, Bhujbal became the mayor of Mumbai. He served again as mayor in 1990. During his time as mayor, he worked to improve the city. He focused on local issues and helped Shiv Sena grow stronger. His leadership helped the party win control of the BMC. Bhujbal was known for his bold and dramatic speeches. He could draw big crowds. He also led protests and campaigns for Marathi rights. Once, he disguised himself as a sheikh to join a protest in Karnataka. This showed his courage and cleverness.
Switching Political Parties
In 1991, Bhujbal left Shiv Sena. He was upset because he was not made the Leader of the Opposition. He felt ignored by the party. He joined the Indian National Congress (INC). This was a big change in his career. Many people were shocked. Some called him a traitor. But Bhujbal wanted to grow as a leader. In 1999, when Congress leader Sharad Pawar formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bhujbal joined him. This move made him a key figure in the NCP. He became close to Sharad Pawar, who mentored him. Bhujbal’s decision to switch parties showed his ambition. It also caused tension with his old friends in Shiv Sena.
Political Achievements
Chhagan Bhujbal achieved many things in politics. He served as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2009 to 2010. He also held important roles like Minister of Public Works and Minister of Home Affairs. As a minister, he worked on big projects. One of his biggest achievements was the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This road improved travel and business between the two cities. Bhujbal also started welfare programs for poor and marginalized communities. He fought for the rights of OBCs. His work earned him respect among many people.
Since 2004, Bhujbal has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Yeola in Nashik. He won the seat in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. Yeola became his stronghold. He brought development to the area. He built good roads, a modern administrative building, and even a public swimming pool. People in Yeola saw him as a strong leader. His work made the area a model constituency. Bhujbal also started the Samata Parishad in the 1990s. This group worked for OBC rights. His focus on social justice made him a leader for backward classes.
Controversies and Challenges
Bhujbal’s career was not without problems. In 2003, he resigned as Deputy Chief Minister. This happened after NCP workers attacked the office of Alpha Marathi, a TV channel. They were angry about a show that mocked Bhujbal’s role in a stamp paper scam. Bhujbal took moral responsibility and stepped down. He said Sharad Pawar asked him to resign. This event hurt his image. In 2014, he was arrested in a money-laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said he took kickbacks for government contracts. Bhujbal spent over two years in jail. He and his family denied the charges. They called it a political attack. In 2018, he was released on bail.
Bhujbal also faced criticism in Nashik. Some people said law and order became worse under his influence. There were reports of robberies and violence. A senior police officer said Bhujbal’s family controlled police appointments. But no direct proof was found against him. In 2022, Bhujbal caused a stir by questioning why schools had portraits of Goddess Saraswati. He said social reformers like Jyotirao Phule should be honored instead. Many people were angry. They saw it as an attack on Hindu beliefs. Bhujbal later said he was misunderstood. He visited a temple to calm the situation. These controversies showed that Bhujbal often spoke boldly, but it sometimes caused trouble.
Recent Political Moves
In 2023, Bhujbal joined Ajit Pawar when the NCP split. He left Sharad Pawar’s side, which surprised many. Sharad Pawar called him a betrayer. Bhujbal said he felt sidelined in the NCP. He joined the Mahayuti government led by Devendra Fadnavis. In 2024, he opposed Maratha reservation under the OBC quota. This made him popular among OBCs but angered Maratha activists. Manoj Jarange, a Maratha leader, asked voters to defeat Bhujbal in Yeola. Despite this, Bhujbal won the 2024 election. He got 1.35 lakh votes but with a smaller margin than before. His nephew, Sameer Bhujbal, lost in Nandgaon.
In December 2024, Bhujbal was left out of the Maharashtra Cabinet. This upset his supporters. OBC leaders protested for him. On May 20, 2025, he was made a minister again. This was seen as a move to balance OBC and Maratha tensions. Bhujbal also supported a caste census. He said it would help know the exact population of OBCs. His return to the Cabinet showed his ability to stay relevant.
Personal Life and Legacy
Chhagan Bhujbal is married to Meena Bhujbal. They have a son, Pankaj Bhujbal, who is also in politics. His nephew, Sameer Bhujbal, is active in Nashik politics. Bhujbal’s family supports his work. They live in a large house in Bhujbal Farms, Nashik. The property has a swimming pool, tennis court, and library. Bhujbal also owns colleges and other businesses. Some say he used his power to gain wealth. Others see him as a man who worked hard to succeed.
Bhujbal’s legacy is mixed. He is admired for his rise from poverty to power. He fought for OBC rights and brought development to Yeola. But controversies like the money-laundering case and his party switches hurt his image. Some call him opportunistic. Others see him as a survivor. At 77, he remains active in politics. His speeches still draw crowds. He continues to fight for social justice and development.
Conclusion
Chhagan Bhujbal’s life is an inspiring story. He started as a vegetable vendor and became a powerful leader. His journey was not easy. He faced poverty, controversies, and jail time. But he never stopped working for his people. His focus on OBC rights and development made him a strong voice in Maharashtra. Today, as a minister in the Maharashtra Cabinet, he continues to shape the state’s politics. Bhujbal’s story teaches us that hard work and courage can overcome any challenge. His life shows that anyone can achieve greatness with determination.
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