Mumbai (Maharashtra): An FIR was registered against BJP leader Pankaja Munde and 42 others for flouting Covid-19 norms during a rally held at her office at Worli in Central Mumbai on Tuesday. A case was registered under IPC sections 188 (disobedience of lawful order issued by a public servant) and 269 (act likely to spread infection) besides the Disaster Management Act against the organizers and participants of the gathering, an official said. A notice was also issued to Munde in this case, said senior police inspector Anil Kale. Her supporters had gathered at her office to show their support as during the recent Union cabinet expansion, Munde's sister and and MP Pritam Munde did not get a berth.
Earlier, several office-bearers of the BJP from Maharashtra's Beed district resigned in protest after local MP Pritam Munde could not find a place in the expanded Union Cabinet. Thousands of workers of BJP were waiting to see Pritam Munde get a place in the expanded council of ministers. However, her name did not figure in the final list. Her name was dropped at the last minute. However, putting an end to the speculations that the Munde sisters are unhappy over not getting place into the recent Union Cabinet expansion, Pankaja said that she is not upset and does not have any objection to the party's decision. Clearing the air, Pankaja said that her supporters must be feeling that she is hurt by the party's decision because of their love towards her.
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"I have no objection with the party's decision but the feeling that my supporters have is because of their love for me. I have to discuss this with them as I was never expecting a ministerial post," she added. Talking to reporters, she said that she is happy for Bhagwat Karad for getting a ministerial post as he is a follower of Gopinath Munde and the OBC community in Maharashtra is looking forward for his meaningful contributions with hope.
Pankaja's statement comes after Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana', alleged that induction of BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Bhagwat Karad instead of Gopinath Munde’s daughter Pritam Munde into Modi 2.0 Cabinet is aimed to finish the political career of Pankaja Munde. When asked about her reaction to Shiv Sena's allegations, she denied commenting on them by saying that she does not read 'Saamana'.
