Speculations of Shivaji scion in Cabinet abound

Mumbai: The expected reshuffle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet on Sunday could see the inclusion of Sambhajiraje Bhosale, Rajya Sabha MP, and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s descendent, from western Maharashtra, into the Cabinet. If it happens, it could well prove to be a masterstroke by the ahead of the 2019 general and Assembly elections.

Political circles are abuzz with speculations regarding Sunday’s reshuffle but indications are that Mr Modi is likely to include at least a minimum of one or two faces from the state in his cabinet and Mr Bhosale will be one of them. After all, the importance of Maharashtra with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, only second to Uttar Pradesh’s 80, is obvious.

Mr Bhosale is not just the descendent of the Maratha emperor, but has also led the Maratha Kranti Morcha in the state.

The Marathas, one of the politically strongest communities in the state, had taken to the roads from September last year to August 2017, with almost 59 marches across the state. Mr Bhosale is believed to be a staunch supporter of the cause and was even seen on the stage during the last morcha. These marches were also seen as anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mobilisation. Therefore, including their strongest leader in the cabinet will dramatically change the narrative in favour of the BJP.

Also, Mr Bhosale comes from western Maharashtra, which is a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stronghold. A recent internal survey showed that western Maharashtra and Konkan were the only two regions in the state where the BJP’s prospects are dim. Seen in this context, Mr Bhosale’s inclusion in the Cabinet can only augur well for the BJP.