Anjali Damania Criticizes Chhagan Bhujbal's Swearing-In as Minister

As senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal is set to take oath as a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet today, activist Anjali Damania has launched a scathing attack on the decision, questioning the state's commitment to fighting corruption.

Bhujbal, who had reportedly been unhappy over being denied a ministerial berth in the past few days, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. today at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik had earlier issued a circular confirming the cabinet swearing-in ceremony.

Reacting strongly to Bhujbal’s expected induction, Damania took to Twitter, saying, “Chhagan Bhujbal will take oath as a minister at Raj Bhavan at 10 am on Tuesday? Does this mean one corrupt minister will be replaced by another? Will the public be left in the lurch again? Or is this a message to anti-corruption activists like me—that we can’t do anything?”

Continuing her criticism, she questioned the ethical standards of political leadership: “What is this nonsense? That decent people can't be found in politics? When Bhujbal was in jail, a picture of him looking defeated was shown in the media. At that time, I genuinely felt a pang of sympathy. But now, what’s the point?”

She also mocked the slogans often used by political parties to signal anti-corruption measures: “Do you remember those hollow slogans of Maharashtra politics? ‘For action against corruption, now 400 times more,’ or ‘Big steps of the Modi government against corruption’ — is this the big step? Is this the action?”

Anjali Damania, known for her relentless anti-corruption campaigns, has often criticized political decisions that she believes compromise integrity. Her latest remarks reflect the continuing disillusionment among activists over the state’s political appointments.