Mumbai: Two days after making a statement of not entering Mantralaya, Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde made a U-turn and went to Mantralaya to attend a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. While entering Mantralaya, NCP MLC and leader of Sakal Dhangar Community, Ramrao Vadkute objected to her entry questioning her about her statement.
While addressing a public rally in Nanded, Munde had said that her party is bound to give reservation for Dhangar community.
On Tuesday, a cabinet meeting was scheduled at 11 am at Mantralaya, which was attended by Munde. Later, she went to her chamber in Mantralaya and met visitors.
Vadkute questioning Munde said that the minister was not firm about her assurance. “This is cheating with the Dhangar community but the community will not allow Pankaja Munde and her party to step inside Mantralaya,” Vadkute said. “Now, she is clarifying that she did not say that she will not enter Mantralaya,” he added.
Meanwhile, Munde clarified that she had not made such a statement. However, her statement was fractured and aired on news channels and published in newspapers.
“I said that without the Dhangar community, we won’t be able to come to power. It is our commitment to give reservation to them. If we fail, I will not step inside Mantralaya,” she said.
“We (BJP) will form the government once again. However, after coming to power, I will not enter Mantralaya until demands of Dhangars are fulfilled,’’ Munde said quoting herself. “I am firm on my statement,” the BJP MLA further said.
She also said that she believes that the BJP will not be able to come back to power if a decision is not made regarding reservation for the Dhangar community.
The leader of Opposition in State Legislative Council, NCP’s Dhananjay Munde said Munde should stop her farce and answer clearly when the Dhangars would get their quota. “The people will stop you from entering Mantralaya,” he added.
