Chhagan Bhujbal Returns to Maharashtra Cabinet, Fills Vacancy Left by Dhananjay Munde

Senior NCP leader, Chhagan Bhujbal, was sworn in as a minister in the Maharashtra state cabinet on Tuesday. Bhujbal's induction comes as he fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Dhananjay Munde in March.

Speaking to the media ahead of the ceremony, Bhujbal said, “All’s well that ends well,” and expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, as well as senior NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel.

According to sources, Bhujbal is likely to be given charge of the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio.

“This decision was taken around eight days ago during a meeting where everything was finalised. Initially, the swearing-in was scheduled for Monday, but since all ministers would be present today, it was moved to Tuesday,” Bhujbal said, addressing speculation around delays in his induction.

A veteran OBC leader and MLA from Yeola in Nashik, Bhujbal was dropped from the cabinet during a reshuffle in December 2023—a decision that sparked disappointment among his supporters. Over his long political career, Bhujbal has served as Deputy Chief Minister and held several key cabinet positions in various state governments.

The vacancy he now fills was created after Dhananjay Munde resigned in the wake of a controversy involving the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Munde’s close aide, Valmik Karad, was named the prime accused in the case, prompting Munde to step down citing health reasons.​