Did CM Fadnavis Honor Gopinath Munde on His 11th Death Anniversary?

Mumbai, June 3 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday honored the memory of the esteemed BJP leader and former union minister Gopinath Munde on the occasion of his 11th death anniversary.

In a heartfelt message posted on X, he expressed, "Humble tributes to the people's leader, a statesman who dedicated his political life to the cause of social welfare, our guide and inspiration, Gopinathrao Ji Munde on his Smruti Din."

Fadnavis added, "I pay tribute to a leader who tirelessly advocated for the rights and welfare of the marginalized, championed the Bahujan Samaj and Other Backward Classes, and compelled the government to initiate a farm loan waiver after leading statewide movements. He relentlessly fought for relief for those affected by the Godavari floods in Marathwada and launched the Sangharsh Yatra to combat the criminalization of politics in Maharashtra," as he shared a video in his post.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state unit chief and Revenue Minister, also paid his respects to Munde.

The state BJP conveyed on X, "We remember a senior party leader, a mentor, and an inspiration for countless workers."

Munde played a pivotal role in expanding the BJP's influence throughout Maharashtra, transforming its image from a party dominated by the elite and business interests to one that resonated with the common people.

In the 1980s, it was under the mentorship of veteran BJP leader Vasantrao Bhagwat that Munde traveled extensively across Maharashtra, significantly enhancing the party's visibility in the state.

His dedication, strong will, and immense grassroots support solidified Munde's position within the party.

Beginning his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Munde later joined the BJP and actively worked to strengthen the party's foothold in rural areas.

He and his brother-in-law, Pramod Mahajan, were affectionately referred to as 'Ram-Laxman' within party circles, credited with reshaping the party's image and establishing it as a formidable player during the Congress era.

Munde's electoral career commenced in Beed, where he became a zilla parishad member in 1978.

He subsequently served as a legislator from the Renapur constituency, Deputy Chief Minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government from 1995 to 1999, and later as an MP from Beed and Union Minister.

He gained media attention for his confrontations with former Chief Minister Sharad Pawar and for critiquing the Congress-led government over the issue of political criminalization.

Munde spearheaded protests against the controversial Enron power project, vowing that his government would cancel the project if elected. Following the Shiv Sena-BJP's victory, the project's first phase was rejected in May, as promised during the 1995 Assembly elections, although it was later revived in 1996 after negotiations with the Enron-led Dabhol Power Company.

During a time of tension between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, Munde and Mahajan were known as the "bridge makers" due to their amicable relations with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

As the Rural Development Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, Munde tragically passed away on June 3, 2014, in a car accident in New Delhi.