Leaders and thinkers from Maharashtra describe the state as the cradle of progressivism and rationalism. This claim is true to some extent since almost all reformist movements were born in Maharashtra. The determination to throw away the alien oppressive rule was first exhibited by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya. The baton was taken forward by the Peshwa warriors on battlefield while society at the time was acquainted with modern thinking and science by various writers and speakers. In short, the land is known as the seat of learning and innovation. Nonetheless, the current discomfiture attached to a palatial bungalow in south Mumbai and a cabin in Mantralaya, the state headquarters, has proved amusing for many though those at the receiving end are trying to cover up their unease over the pall of superstition.
At the centre of the controversy is the historic ‘Ramtek’ bungalow in Mumbai’s posh Malabar Hill area. Once occupied by then chief minister Sharad Pawar, Ramtek has been tagged as ‘unlucky’ for its occupiers. In fact, it is one of the most attractive residential structures in India’s super expensive real estate districts. It has the breath taking backdrop of the Arabian Sea, which begins just after crossing its vast lawns. However, there is enough evidence available to make one consider why the bungalow is so infamous.
The bungalow has been stamped with notoriety for its occupants since 1995 have faced setbacks, political or in personal life. The first such victim was then deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde, who lived in Ramtek between 1995 and 1999, never to return. He was heaped with personal allegations by the likes of Anna Hazare when he was DCM. Soon after becoming a Union minister in 2014 in PM Narendra Modi’s first cabinet, he died in a car accident in Delhi. A promising career was cut short as his name was thought to be a certainty as the next Maharashtra CM. Alas, this never happened.
After the formation of the cabinet a few days ago in the state, the bungalow was allotted to Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, the outgoing state BJP chief. Though initially happy, Bawankule apparently has had second thoughts. In all likelihood, Munde’s daughter Pankaja could accept the Ramtek allotment. Reports a couple of days earlier suggested that Munde had no reservations about occupying the property. Given her emotional attachment with Ramtek, it can happen soon.
The most unlucky perhaps is senior politician Chhagan Bhujbal, belonging to the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. A firebrand speaker, he was always at the forefront of protecting the interests of the OBCs. Bhujbal was the DCM for a while during the Congress-NCP coalition rule between 1999 and 2014. While he was residing in Ramtek, he was hit with a serious charge. In 2003, his name surfaced in the Telgi stamp paper scam, which forced him to hand over his resignation. Incidentally, the charge was not proved. Bhujbal has been dropped from the present cabinet, his supporters claiming that his ill fortune has hit back.
Another senior leader Eknath Khadse, who was then with the BJP, fell foul of CM Devendra Fadnavis, and was slapped with several cases for alleged corruption. Disgruntled by the constant side lining by his own party, Khadse joined the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. But even today, he feels ignored by the political leadership in the state. It was as the second most important minister, from 2014 to 2016 in the BJP-Shiv Sena government, that Khadse faced serious corruption allegations while residing at Ramtek. He was forced to quit. These allegations still haunt him, he says.
The most recent Ramtek connection rests with outgoing minister Deepak Kesarkar, a confidant of former CM Eknath Shinde. It was believed all round that Kesarkar will be inducted into the present Fadnavis government. However, his name did not appear in the list, shocking his supporters and detractors alike. Till recently minister of school education and Marathi language, Kesarkar had been staying at Ramtek for the past two and half years.
If a bungalow is perceived to be unlucky, a mere cabin, too, can be seen with apprehension.
Though just a cabin in Mantralaya, Room 602 is viewed as jinxed by the state’s politicians since its occupants, one after another, had to face setbacks. While every inch in Mantralaya, especially on the sixth floor, smells power, influence and clout, this most spacious room has been without a ministerial occupant for quite a while. Presently used by a bunch of bureaucrats, ministers are reluctant to move into it. And they can rattle the names of its past occupants, who had to experience some type of discomfort. They can easily recall how every minister who occupied this cabin over the past two decades has had to suffer bad luck.
In this list, Chhagan Bhujbal is at the top since Room 602 was allocated to him in 1999. He was at the crest of his popularity as then DCM and home minister. Residing in Ramtek, he became the focus of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, commonly known as the Telgi Scam. After his exit, Ajit Pawar started using the cabinas as the next occupant. He also had to step down after accusations regarding the irrigation scam started against him. He, of course, returned as DCM but kept away from Room 602.
Like Bhujbal, the ‘Ramtek-Room 602’ jinx hit Khadse when the BJP came to power in 2014. Operating from this spacious cabin, he had to resign after he was implicated in a land scam. The next occupant, another BJP minister Pandurang Fundkar, died suddenly in 2018 due to cardiac arrest. The most recent occupant was then BJP minister Anil Bonde, who lost the assembly election in 2019.
At present, the cabin has been allocated to BJP minister Shivendra Raje Bhosle, who handles the Public Works Department. The daunting reputation of Room 602 has been quoted in hushed tones. Raje’s decision is likely to be announced soon.
Superstition and blind faith are no monopoly of any nation. US President Ronald Regan’s wife had appointed a ‘house astrologer’ in the White House and did not allow her husband to accept any appointment without her approval. Even Adolf Hitler had a secret astrologer in his team, it is said. Still, the stories surrounding Ramtek and Room 602 are certainly unusual.
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
