Pankaja Munde reaches Delhi amid a spate of resignations by BJP workers in Beed

“The induction of Bhagwat Karad in the Union government as MoS has not gone well with the Munde sisters and their supporters. There is a feeling that strengthening Karad amounts to undermining the leadership of Munde in the Marathwada region. Both Munde and Karad represent the vanjara community, which comes under the OBC category,” a local BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, said.

Though Munde has maintained she was “not unhappy” after Pritam missed out on the Union Cabinet berth, party insiders were quick to point out that 49 members in Beed could not resign without the knowledge of Munde.

Reacting to the string of resignations, Munde said Friday, “We share a very cordial bond with our supporters. It is a long-lasting relationship not based on power or post. They are hurt as Pritam Munde Khade did not make it to Union cabinet.” The BJP leader has now convened a meeting of her supporters at her Worli office in Mumbai on July 13.

On Sunday, Munde attended a meeting of BJP national secretaries called by the Prime Minister. Party’s national secretaries Vinod Tawde and Vijaya Rahatkar, also from Maharashtra, were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, referring to Munde’s Delhi visit, a BJP leader said, “JP Nadda had called a meeting of all national
secretaries. Munde is in Delhi to attend this meeting. At the same time, she is likely to appraise (the BJP chief) about the political developments in Beed post the cabinet expansion.”