Pankaja Munde’s FB post triggers rumours

MUMBAI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pankaja Munde’s Facebook post on Sunday and removing BJP from her Twitter bio on Monday fanned speculation within political circles on whether she will quit the party and join the Shiv Sena.

Munde, former rural development minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, has been upset after her defeat in the Assembly polls to her cousin and rival, NCP leader Dhananjay Munde. In her Facebook post, Munde said she would announce her plans on December 12.

While her close aides and state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil have rubbished the rumours, Munde, the BJP’S Other Backward Classes (OBC) face in the state, has been incommunicado.

The Facebook post addressed to her followers said: “You have been asking me for my time. And I will give it to you, but after eight-10 days. I need some time to myself. What to do next ? What path should I follow ? What can I give to my people? What does my strength lie in? What do people expect of me..i will think about all this and come before you on December 12.”

The birth anniversary of her father and senior BJP leader, the late Gopinath Munde, falls on December 12 and she plans to hold a rally at a memorial built for him at Gopinath Gad in her home district of Beed.

Meanwhile, Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Munde was in touch with Sena leadership.

“Not just Munde, but several other BJP leaders are in touch with Sena leadership. We will see what step she takes on December 12. She is welcome,” said Raut.

“There are rumours circulating in social media that Munde is planning to leave BJP, which is not true. Her father has played a big role behind BJP’S standing today. After an electoral defeat, where one has worked hard, there is bound to be some introspection. That does not mean she is leaving the party,” said BJP state chief Chandrakant Patil.