Latest news with #DhananjayMunde
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
After 11 years, Pankaja & Dhananjay come together on Gopinath Munde's death anniversary
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: After a gap of 11 years, the Munde cousins — minister Pankaja and former minister Dhananjay Munde — came together on Tuesday at Gopinathgad, in Beed's Parli Vaijnath, during the death anniversary observance of BJP politician Gopinath Munde . Earlier, the cousins used to visit Gopinathgad separately each year, avoiding interaction due to their political differences. Tuesday's occasion, featuring a religious ceremony and blood donation drive, garnered significant attention across Maharashtra, both for its political importance and the public reunion of the Munde cousins at the annual commemorative event. While Dhananjay Munde remained silent during the event, Pankaja Munde addressed the gathering and shared memories of her father. Before the event, Pankaja had said, "The NCP is now our ally, so we invited all functionaries from the party, including Dhananjay Munde. He is my cousin, and I am certain he will attend the function." The cousins, feeling politically isolated, have shown solidarity at public events throughout the past year, having resolved their differences before the previous year's elections. During her Gopinathgad speech, Pankaja said Dhananjay requested her to speak for the family. "He (Dhananjay) told me, 'You speak for all of us.' I am grateful to everyone who stood by me over the years as I found my footing in politics. This is a family, and every year, we wonder what we can do to keep Gopinath Munde's memory alive," she said. The BJP minister in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet highlighted her father's public service. "If people knew how wounded he was, there would have been a wave of blood donations across the country. Today, we conduct health and blood donation camps to honour his legacy. He lives on through his ideals and the love of the people," she said. Referencing spiritual matters, Pankaja added, "Even Lord Ram and the Pandavas faced exile. I heard in the keertan today — greatness comes with pain." Additionally, Pankaja discussed her recent accommodation allocation. "I was finally given the Ramtek bungalow, which I requested back in 2014. At the time, it was occupied by a senior minister. Today, it feels like a great honour and a rare moment in history that I received this bungalow after Munde Saheb. This is not just a residence; it symbolises responsibility and commitment," she said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dhananjay Munde has chosen right path of meditation for peace of mind: Pankaja
Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde has supported her cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde , who was forced to resign amid a political firestorm over the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, for choosing the "right path" of Vipassana meditation . Dhananjay Munde was attending a meditation course for the last eight days at Igatpuri. "Dhananjay Munde has chosen the right option. If it brings him peace of mind, it is the right step," Pankaja told reporters in Pune recently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never Put Eggs In The Refrigerator. Here's Why... Car Novels Undo He resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet in February amid serious allegations regarding his links with Walmik Karad, an accused in the Deshmukh murder case. He is also battling a personal crisis following claims by his estranged partner who claimed to be his first wife. Live Events Following his resignation, the portfolio previously held by him was handed over to senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal.
