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Pankaja Munde, born on July 26, 1979, also recognized as Pankaja Munde-Palwe after marriage, is a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Holding the position of National Secretary within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she was recently declared as the BJP’s candidate for the Beed constituency in the upcoming 2024 General Elections, as announced in March 2024.
Pankaja Munde’s Path to Political Redemption
Up until June of last year, Pankaja Munde had been focused on reclaiming Maharashtra’s Parli assembly seat, which her cousin and NCP member Dhananjay Munde had won in 2019. Her defeat in that election, coupled with her previous statement, “I am the CM in people’s mind,” had resulted in her feeling marginalized within the state BJP. Therefore, it was reasonable for her to begin laying the groundwork for the state polls 17 months in advance.
However, when Dhananjay and several other NCP legislators, led by Ajit Pawar, joined the Mahayuti government (a coalition of BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena) last year, Pankaja decided to withdraw her claim on the Parli seat. Rumors began circulating about her potential candidacy for the Beed Lok Sabha seat instead. Ultimately, on March 13, the BJP officially announced Pankaja as its candidate for Beed, replacing her younger sister Pritam.
The Complex Landscape of Beed Constituency
Beed represents a constituency facing severe water scarcity, where a significant portion of the population relies on traditional sugarcane harvesting for livelihood. The absence of industrial development has hindered its progress, and the district headquarters still lacks a rail connection. Additionally, Beed grapples with deep-rooted caste divisions, exacerbated by the Maratha community’s demand for reservation, which has strained relations with the OBCs who are concerned about potential losses in their quota share. Notably, Beed stood out as the sole district in Maharashtra experiencing widespread violence during last year’s Maratha agitation.
Pankaja, the daughter of the late BJP MP and former state deputy CM Gopinath Munde, is considered the party’s representative for the OBC community. In recent times, her campaign convoy has encountered interruptions by ‘protesters’ on at least a couple of occasions, despite her stated support for a separate Maratha quota. Addressing a recent campaign rally, Pankaja emphasized her commitment to inclusivity, stating, “My opponents are attempting to divide voters based on caste, but I am determined to unite people from all castes and backgrounds.”
Considering the significance of caste dynamics, Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SCP) has decided to field Bajrang Sonawane for re-election. Sonawane, a Maratha who previously served as the vice chairman of Beed zilla parishad and briefly held the position of deputy CM in Ajit Pawar’s faction, has been chosen as the candidate. His nomination is attributed to his impressive performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he garnered over 500,000 votes despite losing to Pritam Munde.
Sonwane’s Confident Stand
Sonwane recently expressed confidence in his chances of winning the Beed contest against Pankaja, stating that it would be an easy victory for him. He emphasized that there was no close competition, citing Pankaja’s limited presence in Beed. Meanwhile, his party’s state unit chief, Jayant Patil, criticized the BJP for its failure to develop the constituency and expressed assurance in the MVA alliance’s prospects, including winning at least 33 Lok Sabha seats, including Beed.
He mentioned the intention to send Bajrang to Delhi for the district’s development. Sonawane also targeted the Munde family, particularly criticizing the management of the Vaidyanath cooperative sugar mill, controlled by the Mundes, which faced bankruptcy, leaving sugarcane growers, transporters, and cane cutters unpaid. He urged the Munde cousins to address these issues before investing in their election campaigns.
Pankaja has long been viewed as the political successor to her cousin Sonwane. She served as a cabinet minister from 2014 to 2019 in the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government. However, since her defeat in 2019, she has been without a seat, prompting analysts to view this election as a test of her continued relevance in Maharashtra’s political arena.
Pankaja Munde’s Reinforced Campaign with Cousin Dhananjay’s Support
This time around, Pankaja enjoys the support of her cousin Dhananjay, which could enhance her chances of success. She emphasized that any past differences with Dhananjay are now resolved, highlighting their unity even before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
To prevent clashes with supporters of quotas, several prominent Maratha figures within the BJP, such as MLC Suresh Dhas, ex-MLC Amarsinha Pandit, and Nilanga MLA Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, have thrown their support behind Pankaja.
Regarding the remark that allegedly isolated her and led to a supposed rift with former CM Devendra Fadnavis, Pankaja clarified, “My statement was misconstrued… I never indicated a desire to become CM on any platform. Any disagreements with Fadnavis are merely rumors.”
With her affairs now settled, Pankaja may not be concerned about her own position, but she must devote all her attention to the upcoming May 13 showdown. This election marks a rematch between Munde and Sonawane, as well as between the BJP and NCP (SCP), but with the added layer of OBC versus Maratha dynamics this time.
