For deputy CM Ajit Pawar, it was a major embarrassment when he had to re-induct his archrival in the state cabinet. While his detractors felt that his political career was nearing its end, Chhagan Bhujbal has established that he is indispensable. Significantly, it’s a mystery as to why Ajit Pawar did not induct Bhujbal in the ministry. Bhujbal’s supporters believe that Ajit Pawar had no choice in view of the upcoming civic elections.In the recent past, Bhujbal emerged as a messiah of the OBC community. He took on Maratha Manoj Jarange at his peak. The general view in NCP is that over a period, Bhujbal emerged more powerful than before, and above all, he was challenging Ajit Pawar’s leadership. Whether in Shiv Sena, Congress or NCP, Bhujbal had the ambition to become the CM but missed the opportunity. Politicians who rose with Bhujbal became CM, such as Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane.Bhujbal did become the deputy CM, but that joy was short-lived. He was sacked following an attack on a TV channel’s office. Despite such a situation, Bhujbal was inducted in the cabinet followingSharad Pawar‘s intervention. Objections were raised then on the grounds that he had been in jail for a long time and that inducting him would send the wrong message. But Sharad Pawar was firm.One of the reasons for his induction was his possibility of joining BJP. At one stage, even Devendra Fadnavis was planning to lure him to fill the OBC gap in BJP. However, following opposition within the party, the proposal was dropped.CJI’s stricturesNewly appointed CJI Bhushan Gavai publicly expressed his strong displeasure over the absence of the chief secretary, the DGP and the Mumbai police commissioner during his maiden visit to the state capital. The event was organised by Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa. The CJI was upset since he was shown disrespect in his home state. After the incident, CM Devendra Fadnavis issued protocol guidelines for the visiting CJI.In the past, whether as judge in Bombay HC or Supreme Court, Gavai had passed stringent strictures against erring bureaucrats and IPS officers. A veteran bureaucrat said bureaucrats wake up only after HC threatens to invoke contempt proceedings. In several cases, it was found that despite serious lapses by the bureaucrat, it was closed after the babu tendered an apology. In another case on rampant corruption in the tribal development department led by Vijaykumar Gavit, Justice Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari had questioned a bureaucrat’s integrity and credibility.Advocate Raghuwanshi, the petitioner’s counsel, had expected the bureaucrat’s dismissal, but he was given a clean chit. State bureaucrats do not recognise Lokayukta’s authority. By and large, either clerks or section officers are deployed for judicial proceedings. When a Lokayukta summoned the then chief secretary, he tendered an apology and assured the presence of the department secretary. As an HC judge, Gavai had ensured the presence of senior bureaucrats of the education department to resolve the row over pension pending for decades. Recently, he took a firm view on Prevention of Money Laundering Act and its gross misuse.