In the age of social media, political posturing assumes a whole new meaning, with even minor actions sparking frenzied speculation. This reality is no different in the case of Pankaja Munde, a former minister in the previous BJP-Shiv Sena government and daughter of late BJP stalwart Gopinath Munde.
In a Facebook post on on Sunday, Pankaja invited her supporters to Gopinathgad, the memorial to her father, at Beed on December 12. December 12 marks the birth anniversary of Gopinath Munde, who died in a car accident in June 2014, a month after he was sworn in as a minister in the Narendra Modi government.
Pankaja wrote in her Facebook post, “Looking at the changed political scenario in the state, there is a need to think and decide the way ahead. I need time for some 8-10 days to communicate with myself. Our future journey need to be decided against the backdrop of current political changes... What to do next? Which path to be taken? What can we give to people? What is our strength? What are expectations of people? I will think about all these aspects and come before you on December 12.”
Pankaja had lost the recent Maharashtra Assembly election from Parli seat in Beed district by around 30,000 votes. She was defeated by Dhananjay Munde, her cousin, who was contesting on an NCP ticket.
Shirish Boralkar, the spokesperson for the Maharashtra BJP, told PTI that Pankaja would remain in the BJP, arguing that her Facebook post does not convey she was unhappy with the party.
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However, the speculation only increased on Monday when media organisations reported that Pankaja had modified her Twitter bio to purportedly remove references to the BJP. Her Twitter bio on Monday morning just says "RT's r not endorsements." Interestingly, a week ago, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was in the news for removing references to his party in his Twitter bio. Scindia, however, denied his 'shortened' political bio had any political meaning.
Pankaja Munde had been considered a possible contender for the chief minister's post and was perceived to be a rival to Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP's first chief minister in the state. Munde's lineage as the daughter of Gopinath Munde and image of being an OBC face have been touted as assets in the saffron party.
According to media reports, Pankaja Munde has a faction of around 12 BJP MLAs who support her and she could 'bargain' with the BJP leadership for a prominent position in the party. Interestingly, Pankaja still has a family connection with the BJP. Her sister, Pritam Munde, is the Lok Sabha MP from Beed constituency.
