India, May 21 -- Senior NCP legislator and prominent Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader Chhagan Bhujbal's induction into the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday has put a question mark over the political revival of Dhanajay Munde, the man he is replacing.

Munde was forced to resign from the cabinet in March following the arrest of his close aide, Walmik Karad, in connection with the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The 49-year-old Munde, another prominent OBC face in the NCP, was expecting to eventually return to the cabinet. But now, with Bhujbal occupying his vacant berth, there is uncertainty over his future.

Both Bhujbal and Munde were among the key leaders who pledged allegiance to Ajit Pawar when he split the Sharad Pawar-led...