The new Prithviraj Chavan government in the state is likely to face a rough ride with such show of strengths by a disaffected member of the legislative assembly.

Bhujbal, an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader, is making this move to show the Pawar family his clout. Bhubal's outfit, the Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, is all set to unveil the statue of Savitribai Phule, wife of social reformer Jyotiba Phule, in Pune on Nov. 28, making it a socio-political event.

Political analysts feel that Bhujbal is using this event to throw down the gauntlet to the Pawar family, and could initiate a caste war in the Maratha community with the Pawar family on one side and a united minorities front consisting of Muslims, Dalits (low caste Hindus), and OBC led by Bhujbal. This may lead to a rift within the NCP ranks and may spark trouble for the new Maharashtra government.

"With Bhujbal leading a likely rebellion against the Pawars there are doubts whether the new government would remain stable for long," said a former Congress minister.

Phule's wife Savitribai had pioneered education for women braving the wrath of orthodox Hindus, and Bhujbal's organization is one that adores and follows in the footsteps of Savitribai.

The state Gov. K. Sankaranarayanan has accepted Bhujbal's invitation to unveil the statue of Savitribai in Pune and also of Phule and Savitribai in Mumbai on Nov. 21.

According to sources the show of strength by Bhujbal's outfit is to make the NCP realize the importance of Bhujbal, who is trying to emerge as a pan-India OBC leader. A close aide of Bhujbal said, "It can be understood that Ashok Chavan had to resign because of his alleged involvement in the Adarsh housing society scam, but what was Bhujbal's fault? He had to give up his post under pressure form the Maratha lobby that dominates the NCP."

Another leader of the outfit said "We want to ensure that the event is a massive success. We want to send a strong message to the Maratha politicians that they should realize that they are using us and Muslims to get elected. The disgraceful dirty politics of the Pawars has hurt the OBC communities. Because of our strength, the Maratha politicians have floated a parallel OBC outfit - Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Samta Parishad."

Bhujbal's nephew Sameer and legislator son Pankaj are overseeing the event in Pune.

Reacting to Bhujbal's plan, senior Maratha leaders from the NCP scoffed at Bhujbal's move and said that the staging of the event was just posturing by Bhujbal, who is just seeking more portfolios or more compensation for giving up his deputy chief minister post.