Munde-Gadkari spat may prove costly for BJP in Assembly polls

Sun, May 4 03:39 PM

Chandran Iyer Mumbai, May 4 (PTI) The simmering differences between the two BJP leaders Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari that triggered a political quake in the BJP with Munde tendering his resignation from the party may have now subsided, but the episode is bound to continue to send tremors of aftershocks during the Maharashtra assembly elections. Though both the groups publicly proclaim that they will work in unity to work to strengthen the party, the mutual dislike between both the leaders is very well known.

The problem for the party is compounded as two leaders enjoy support of two different Hindutva forces -- Shiv Sena and RSS. Munde who is a mass leader has the support of Shiv Sena while Gadkari who is a good administrator in the party but no mass base has the backing of RSS. The BJP leadership in Delhi may have prevented Munde from leaving the party but it has not been able to narrow the differences between the two leaders. In fact it has only increased manifold which is evident from "off-the record" comments which the two leaders have been making.

When Munde raised the banner of revolt protesting against Madhu Chavan, his detractor being made Mumbai president of BJP, the party leadership in Delhi was taken aback. At the most they expected him to sulk-- but they did not expect him to go to the extent of resigning from all the party posts.

To get into damage control mode they quickly summoned Munde and Gadkari to Delhi. While the latter went, Munde Rebuffed the party leadership and refused to go.

Instead he sent two of his representatives to convey his feelings. It was only when BJP leadership buckled to his demands that he agreed to go to Delhi.

The BJP was forced to replace Madhu Chavan with Gopal Shetty. PTI.

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