Munde's willingness to work under Bhujbal in a national movement of OBCs is seen as conceding that Bhujbal is the tallest leader of OBCs in the state.
The coming together of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal and BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gopinath Munde for the rights of the other backward classes (OBCs) has created a buzz in state political circles.
Munde's announcement at a function here yesterday that he was willing to work under the leadership of NCP leader Bhujbal in a national movement of OBCs is also seen as the BJP leader conceding that Bhujbal is the top leader of OBCs in the state.
Both Munde and Bhujbal were vocal, demanding that an OBC count be included in the current census.
"OBC count should be included in the census. It is not being done because some people fear OBCs will come together once they know their true strength," Munde said.
There are 340 castes among the OBCs, who constitute 54% of the country's population according to some estimates. There is a need for an OBC census, Bhujbal said.
Demanding reservation for OBCs in the Lok Sabha, Bhujbal said leaders from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are articulate about the issues of their communities as they get elected from reserved seats.
"Same is not the case with OBC leaders, who contest from unreserved seats and can't be vocal for fear of displeasing the general category voters," he said.
Bhujbal said each caste in the OBC category had leaders working for their caste, leading to a lot of infighting. He said the OBCs have to look at themselves as one caste to succeed in their struggle.
"Cattle, fowl, and other animals will be counted, but the OBCs won't be," Munde remarked. "If the 52% of OBCs boycott the census, whom will they count?"
Munde also voiced his 'personal opinion' that there should be reservation for OBC women in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha. "I will persevere to have my party take this view," he said.
Munde shared the stage with Bhujbal a week after he remarked that he should have stayed with the RSS instead of joining the Jan Sangh during the Emergency.
"Perhaps I should have gone back to the RSS," he had said. "I could have done many other things. But now it's too late. You can enter the BJP, [but] there is no exit route."
When Nitin Gadkari, Munde's junior in state politics, was made BJP president, Munde was made the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha and appointed chairman of the public accounts committee of Parliament.
However, going by his latest outing with Bhujbal and willingness to accept the NCP leader's leadership for a national movement of OBCs, observers believe Munde is not too happy in the BJP.
Three years ago, Bhujbal and Munde shared the stage at a function organised by Peasants and Workers Party politician Jayant Patil.
Bhujbal had then said, "My party colleagues, who should have been on my side during the worst phase of my life (referring to his name being dragged into the Telgi scandal), did not trust and support me."
Bhujbal's remark had led to reports that heavyweight OBC leaders from the state may form a front, changing political equations. But that did not happen.
It is to be seen what happens after yesterday's 'meeting of minds' between Bhujbal and Munde.
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