Chhagan Bhujbal has successfully retained his seat in the Yevla Assembly constituency, emerging victorious in the 2024 Maharashtra elections. The veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader faced one of the toughest contests of his political career as he battled political betrayal, community discontent, and a formidable challenge from his former ally-turned-rival, Manikrao Shinde. Despite these challenges, Bhujbal’s decades-long dominance in the region helped him clinch a hard-fought victory.

Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP)
A seasoned politician with a storied career, Chhagan Bhujbal has represented Yevla for over two decades. His development initiatives, including the 165-km canal that alleviated water shortages in the region, solidified his position as a powerful leader. Bhujbal has served in various ministerial capacities and was most recently a key figure in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. However, his political trajectory faced turbulence after switching to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP in 2023, aligning with the BJP-led Mahayuti government. This shift alienated several of his traditional supporters, and tensions within the Maratha community, especially with Maratha reservation leader Jarange-Patil, further weakened his position. Adding fuel to the fire, Sharad Pawar’s call for Bhujbal’s defeat, coupled with support for his challenger Manikrao Shinde, significantly impacted Bhujbal's campaign.

Manikrao Shinde (NCP)
Manikrao Shinde, the son of former MLA Madhukarrao Shinde, returned to the political fray with the support of the Maratha community, forming a significant challenge to Bhujbal’s dominance. Once a close associate of Bhujbal, Shinde became disillusioned with him and joined Shiv Sena in 2009 to contest against him, though unsuccessfully. Now aligned with Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Shinde was able to tap into the growing anti-Bhujbal sentiment among the Maratha community, further bolstered by his grassroots campaign. His support base from the Maratha community and non-Maali OBCs became a key factor in his bid for the seat, with villagers even initiating a fundraising drive to back his campaign.

Constituency dynamics
Yevla is a constituency with 3.2 lakh voters, predominantly consisting of Marathas (1.2 lakh), followed by OBCs (1 lakh), Muslims (35,000), and SCs/STs (15,000). The Maratha community’s majority status, coupled with the strong anti-Bhujbal sentiment among them, worked in Shinde’s favor. However, Bhujbal's development work and his connection with some Maratha leaders allowed him to maintain a significant support base.

2019 Assembly Results

  • Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP): 126,237 votes
  • Sambhaji Sahebrao Pawar (Shiv Sena): 69,712 votes
  • Margin: 56,525 votes

A Battle of legacies and sentiments
Bhujbal fought fiercely to retain his political stronghold in Yevla, while Shinde capitalized on the Maratha community's discontent and his resurgence within the NCP fold. The election was a battle not only of legacies but also of changing caste and political dynamics in Maharashtra. Bhujbal’s victory signals his enduring influence in the region, while Shinde’s strong challenge indicates the shifting political landscape of the constituency.