‘Quit BJP, we’ll back you as 1st woman Maha CM’

Nagpur: Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, while reacting to BJP minister Pankaja Munde’s remarks about being tired of politics, on Monday offered her support for CM’s post, on condition that she quit BJP.A video of Munde speaking at a public rally has gone viral, in which she is allegedly expressing frustration over certain things in politics and talking about wanting to retire. “Our request to Pankaja tai, as an OBC leader, is that you should not take such a step. Lead OBCs and become the first woman OBC chief minister of Maharashtra,” Wadettiwar said and added, “If she leaves BJP then we will request our high command to induct her into the party,” he said.Blaming BJP for sidelining OBC politicians like Munde, Wadettiwar said, “OBC members have left (the party), they must be feeling that we are not getting justice, that all our sacrifices are not valued in BJP. Maybe Pankaja tai said this out of anger. Sometimes these feelings come easily when the trouble increases.”Wadettiwar clarified the offer for Munde to join Congress was a personal appeal, not a formal decision. “I do not have that authority. But yes, I will speak to my party seniors and request that she be brought into the Congress fold after quitting BJP,” he said.He alleged the BJP-led govt had assumed office on OBC votes but ignored their legislators and voters alike. Wadettiwar made the remarks in Nagpur, before leaving for Bhandara to launch the Mandal Janganana Yatra, a campaign for a caste census of OBCs.