Upset over the non-inclusion of MP Pritam Munde Khade in the Union Council of Ministers, 14 BJP office-bearers in Beed, Maharashtra, resigned on Saturday.
The officials who resigned include Beed BJP district general secretary Sarjerao Tandale and district youth wing vice-president Vivek Pakhre and several members of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti.
“What is the point of continuing in the organization if our leader is not respected? Thousands of party workers were waiting for Pritam Munde Khade to get a place in the Union Cabinet. We were torn apart when his name was not in the ministerial list. ,” Tandel told The Indian Express.
A BJP insider said the party’s decision to make BJP leader Bhagwat Karad a minister of state has caused trouble to the followers. Karad, a close aide who was groomed by the late Gopinath Munde, represents the Vanzara community, which falls under the OBC category.
He hails from Aurangabad in Marathwada. Khade and his elder sister Pritam Munde – national BJP secretary also belong to Vanjara community and represent Beed in Marathwada.
However, the BJP’s decision to empower Karad sends a message that the BJP is trying to build an OBC leadership in the Marathwada region to rein in Khade and Munde.
After the resignation of the party members, Munde said, “We share a very cordial relationship with our supporters. It is a long lasting relationship that is not based on power or position. They’re hurt…”
However, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis rubbished reports that two-time BJP MP Pritam Munde’s non-inclusion in the Union Cabinet has left him and said these were attempts to defame him.
Asked about reports of Pankaja Munde being upset with the party leadership, Fadnavis told The Times of India, “Who told you that she is angry? Don’t spread rumors and defame them.”
Four leaders of Maharashtra were inducted into the cabinet. There was speculation that Pritam Munde might get a cabinet berth. However, he found no place in it.
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