BJP state chief to rescue of Munde-led campaign

Supporters of the BJP deputy leader in the Loksabha, Gopinath Munde, have claimed that although he is spearheading the ‘NCP-Congress Hatao, Maharashtra Bachao' campaign in the city, the stir will not be a flop like last month's Bharat Bandh, which was a dud due to the non-participation of the party's city unit.

According to them, since BJP state president Sudhir Mungantiwar himself will look into the campaign strategy's nitty-gritty, it will be a success in the city. Mungantiwar is expected to make an official announcement regarding the campaign today.

Sudhir Mungantiwar

This is second instance when Mungantiwar, known as balanced leader, has been called to the city to announce the strategy for BJP's statewide campaign aimed at the removal of NCP-Congress from the political scene. Interestingly, the party's city unit president Vikas Mathkari is considered to be a staunch supporter of BJP national president Nitin Gadkari, and a known Munde opponent. As a result of this rift in the party, little or no effect is witnessed whenever Munde is given the responsibility of any such campaign in the state.

Gopinath Munde

Munde's supporters, on condition of anonymity, told MiD DAY that this time the campaign would be a hit in the city, as state president himself would take care of the success of the campaign. Without mentioning Gadkari's name, Munde's supporter stated that there would be no more place for ‘politics of show-offs' in the state, and henceforth the opportunity would be given to Munde.

Last month, when the Bharat Bandh didn't get success in the city, Mathkari explained that the since the Ganpati festival was ongoing in the city, the party's city unit didn't want to disturb the festive atmosphere, therefore the bandh got a poor response. However, it was ascertained that in view of the fact that the party's city unit is ardent follower of Gadkari, it was a deliberate attempt to ensure the bandh is unsuccessful.

"The central leadership is now also supporting Munde and the party's politics in the city, which will completely change after this campaign," said an aide close to Munde.

When the party's city unit chief Mathkari was asked about the campaign strategies in the city, he said that it would be officially announced by Mungantiwar. While MLA Girish Bapat, who is also considered as Gadkari's man, confirmed that he was not aware of the party's strategy of the campaign and party state president would make the announcement regarding it. u00a0