Overview

• Chhagan Bhujbal publicly asserted the NCP’s right to the vacant Nashik guardian ministership by citing the party’s seven local MLAs.
• Girish Mahajan immediately countered at a Nashik event, insisting he will assume the guardian minister role and dismissing Bhujbal’s intervention.
• The dispute escalated after Independence Day protocol decisions, with Bhujbal skipping Nashik’s flag-hoisting and sources saying he was displeased Mahajan took his place.
• Control of Nashik has taken on added urgency as the district prepares to host a major Kumbh Mela and faces crucial local elections.
• The open clash underscores deepening tensions within the BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance, which has seen similar fights over other district posts.