NCP leaders rejoice at verdict

Mumbai: NCP rejoiced when the Bombay high court granted bail to senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday. NCP state chief Jayant Patil welcomed the decision, calling it, “late but right”.

NCP senior leader Supriya Sule said it was a “good day” for NCP. According to party insiders, Mr Bhujbal will take a few days to resume active politics.

However, his bail ahead of the crucial general and Assembly elections has created enthusiasm within the NCP.

 Mr Bhujbal's followers from Nashik, Pune, Ahmednagar and a few other districts celebrated the grant of bail by coming out on the streets and distributing sweets to the public.

In Mumbai, the party's newly selected state chief, Jayant Patil, welcomed the court's decision. “A senior leader like Mr Bhujbal facing the vindictive politics of the state government for two years despite the Supreme Court's orders was in itself painful. But now, the honourable court has given him bail. We are sure that he will also come out clean from this case,” said Mr Patil.

NCP MP and daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, thanked the court as well as the workers for the bail. “We were sure from day one that Mr Bhujbal was innocent. Now, he has got bail. It was his right as per the Supreme Court decision. Today is really a happy day for NCP after a long time. We are sure that Mr Bhujbal will continue to guide us in the fight against the anti-people regime,” she said.

According to party insiders, Mr Bhujbal will mobilise people in the election year, being the strongest OBC leader of the state. A senior NCP leader said, “There is no senior and strong leader in the OBC strata like him. If he decides to reach out to Maharashtra and talk about the political injustice done to him in the last few years, it could turn political tables.” The leader said that Mr Bhujbal’s health would have to support him in the hard work ahead.