Pankaja Munde in fresh trouble over audio clip, Congress seeks resignation

MUMBAI: Her Rural Development Ministry was in the news when worms were found in the chikkis provided by her department to children as part of the midday meal scheme.

She infamously was seen clicking selfies in a drought- prone area at a time when farmers were struggling to get drinking water.

Her husband Charudatta Palwe was alleged to have business links with tainted contractors in the BMC. Thus Pankaja Munde is no stranger to controversy. However, the latest one involving her has led to questions on why the BJP is struggling to reign in Pankaja.

In the latest controversy, an audio clip has surfaced where a voice, which is allegedly Pankaja’s is talking about fixing supporters of a priest of the Vanjari community by filing a false case against them.

She is also was heard talking about using her development funds to get villagers to toe her line against the priest. The tape was recorded when Pankaja was allegedly talking to her supporters on how to tackle Bhagwangad chief priest Narayan Shashtri.

Bhagwangad is known to be the spiritual resting place of saint Bhagwan Baba,who is venerated by Vanjari community.

Munde also is part of the same community. Munde and Shastri are at loggerheads as the former wants to hold a political rally in Bhagwangad on the occasion of Dussehra.

Shastri is okay with Pankaja visiting Bhagwanvad but said there should be no political speeches. While the audio tape has led to both the Congress and NCP asking for Pankaja’s resignation, an embarrassed BJP is conspicuous by its silence on .

“It should be Pankaja who should be clarifying whether it is her voice in the tape or not,” said a BJP leader on condition of anonymity.