BJP leader Pankaja Munde, who is the daughter of late Gopinath Munde, has drawn flak for jumping into the race for Chief Minister in Maharashtra despite having less experience and expertise to occupy the top post. Ironically, she believes that it is her birthright to stake claim for the post, as her late father was destined to get that before he met with the tragic accident.
Even as the BJP central leadership reportedly made up their mind to anoint Maharashtra BJP President Devendra Fadnavis (44) as the Chief Minister of the state, Pankaja Munde is doing her best through all channels to put pressure on the BJP to get the nod. All exit polls have predicted a BJP victory in Maharashtra. so, the party has started preparations for a gala swearing-in.
Neither the central leaders nor the state BJP leaders have approved Pankaja’s move, saying it will dent the party’s image in public arena. “BJP has been a disciplined party. Our goal is to dethrone the Congress-NCP government, form the government in Maharashtra and fulfill the aspirations of common people. The MLAs of the party will decide their leader. It would unfair if any leader projects himself/herself as the Chief Minister without the approval of state leaders as well as the central leadership,” they believe.
The BJP leaders are surprised to see Pankaja Munde (35) jumping into the CM’s race, even as she knows about the party’s plan to appoint Fadnavis as the next CM of the state. If she revolts after the results are out, the BJP may find it difficult to handle things. A large number of MLAs have sympathy with Pankaja because of her late father. She may try to exploit those emotions, which may not augur well for the BJP in Maharashtra.
Even Shiv Sena, which did not field any candidate against Pankaja and her younger sister, may try to fish in the troubled waters. It is believed that Shiv Sena may try to trigger divisions within the ranks and files of the BJP by putting a condition that it will support the party (if it falls short of majority) only if Pankaja is made the Chief Minister.
