Maha politics: BJP rebels to fight with leadership from within

Pankaja Munda, daughter of late Gopinath Munde (former union minister) led a vague attack at the BJP's Maharashtra leadership on the occasion of a rally organised on Thursday on the birth anniversary of his father in Beed district. Ever since her shocking defeat in the recent assembly election, she was said to be quite unhappy and felt that party leadership, especially Devendra Fadnavis is trying to sideline her systematically. In the past month, there had been great speculation that the party's state leadership engineered her defeat.

Mumbai:On Thursday, the rebel voices in the Maharashtra state BJP finally came to the fore and became quite loud, shrill and clear. The occasion was that of a rally which is held every year on the birth anniversary of late Gopinath Munde (former union minister) in his Beed district.

As a hostess of the function Munde's daughter, Pankaja was the main speaker and led the attack aimed vaguely at the state BJP leadership while the former state president and ex-minister Eknath Khadse openly targetted ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis in no uncertain terms. Both of them, as like the rest, made it very clear, though, that they are not to leave the BJP as they felt the party was their own and gave clear indications that they will fight with the leadership from within.

This is my father's party, why should I leave it, asked Pankaja to the huge applause. But at the same time, she made two major announcements giving a fillip to a lot of political speculation - resignation from the State Core Committee of the party and commencing the work of Gopinath Munde Trust from coming 26th January.

She also announced to hold one day fast to raise the issues of water and farm distress in Marathwada. She appealed all the major leaders to participate in it and asked her supporters to come in huge numbers. Clearly it is going to be another show of strength from Pankaja.

It is the time for the party to introspect, Pankaja said. At one point she also said that the party is not being run democratically at present. I am not leaving but now it is for the party to decide what to do with me, she said.

Pankaja Munde, who has a large following, like her father, in the powerful Vanjari community in Marathwada and adjoining areas, and is being seen as one of the influential leaders of the OBCs. Ever since her shocking defeat in the recent assembly election, she was said to be quite unhappy and felt that party leadership, especially Devendra Fadnavis is trying to sideline her systematically. In the past month, there had been great speculation that the party's state leadership engineered her defeat.

Incidentally, all the major leaders who were seen as competitors to Devendra Fadnavis have been pushed aside from the party's mainstream in the past few years. Eknath Khadse, who was his main rival was forced to resign on the corruption charges three years ago, and despite getting a sort of a clean chit has not been reinstated.

Despite several requests, he was denied the assembly ticket and at the last minute was instead given it to her daughter, who ultimately was defeated. Khadse has openly said that some party leaders had a hand in this defeat and he can make open the proofs he has.

Even today, Khadse reiterated his charges and said that even the defeat of Pankaja had a backing of the party leaders. And though he did not take any names his aim was at Devendra, who is a Brahmin, a micro-minority but dominant caste.

Both Khadse and Pankaja also hinted several times that currently the party is run by few (Brahmin) leaders and OBCs are systematically been sidestepped. The rebel articulated in the form a caste difference is unprecedented for the BJP in the state and if it turns serious it will be a thing of great worry to its leadership.

Earlier in the day, amid the speculation that Pankaja may rebel with large party leaders and followers, BJP's State leadership resorted to last-minute firefighting operation by rushing its state President Chandrakant Patil to Beed. Patil held long discussions with Pankaja and Khadse in a closed-door meeting, which delayed the rally by about two hours. Later Patil also shared ideas and said publically that one may be unhappy about a particular person, but nobody should think of damaging the party.

The leader of Dhangars Mahadeo Jankar, Maratha leader and ex-minister Babanrao Lonikar, Prakash Mehta from Mumbai were also present at the gathering.

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