In view of the upcoming 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP leader and state Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde said that she would like to take up the mantle of an OBC leader in the state. She said that there is a political vacuum in Maharashtra politics as far as OBC leadership is concerned.
Pankaja spoke to India Today exclusively during her two day tour of Nashik in Maharashtra. She has been addressing rallies and taking part in road shows in different parts of the state, especially in the constituencies dominated by the OBCs. Her outreach campaign is considered to be part of her show of strength before the Assembly elections next year.
“I dont need any show of strength. Wherever I go there are huge crowds that gather and greet me. My father spent 40 years among them. So they come to welcome me. Any mass leader is greeted like this. I am too small a mass leader, said Pankaja.
“With (Gopinath) Munde saheb no more and Chhagan Bhujbal out of active politics, there is a political vacuum in the state for OBC leadership. My definition of OBC is beyond the caste. Anyone who is deprived is an OBC according to me. There is a dearth of Bahujan leaders in the state. I don’t know whether I will fill that void but I will try my best,” she added.
She also commented on the controversy that erupted after Gopinath Munde’s image was excluded from BJP posters during Amit Shah’s rally in Mumbai. A large number of Munde supporters had protested over this.
I didnt know any of the people who protested during Amit Shahs rally. But they were emotional remembering him. I dont think it was deliberate attempt to drop Munde sahebs photo from the posters. But I will convey to the party that such things can be avoided in future, Pankaja said
When asked whether OBC leaders like her and Eknath Khadse were being sidelined in state politics, she said that the party will take corrective measures if people feel that OBCs are sidelined.
On women’s participation in politics, she said that it was unfortunately true that women politicians did not get important portfolios in Maharashtra politics. However, she also stressed the need for participation by more meritorious women in state politics. (India today)
