BJP Leader Pankaja Munde Nominated to Legislative Council After Lok Sabha Loss

Mumbai, 1st July 2024: BJP leader Pankaja Munde, whose political career faced a significant setback with her loss in the Lok Sabha elections last month, was nominated by her party to Maharashtra’s Legislative Council on Monday.

The BJP’s national leadership also announced four additional candidates for the Legislative Council elections scheduled for July 12. These candidates include farmer leader Sadabhau Khot, Amit Gorkhe from Pimpri-Chinchwad, former Hadapsar MLA Yogesh Tilekar, and Dr. Prinay Phuke.

Munde’s nomination to the Legislative Council is seen as an effort by the party to reinstate her after her defeat in the Lok Sabha election in Beed, where she was narrowly defeated by Bajrang Sonawane of the NCP (SP).

Following Munde’s loss in her family stronghold, a couple of her supporters tragically died by suicide. A video of Munde breaking down while consoling the family of one of these supporters went viral.

Amit Gorkhe, the former head of the Annabhau Sathe Mahamandal and a leader of the Matang community, is known for his close association with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Gorkhe also manages several educational institutions in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Upon being contacted, Gorkhe expressed his delight at being chosen by the party to become an MLC. He stated, “I am honored that the party has selected me as an MLC. I will strive to address the issues of the people in the House.”

Gorkhe noted that with only five vacant seats and five candidates nominated, the election will be uncontested. “We have the necessary numbers on our side. If a sixth candidate had been fielded, a contest would have been possible. But with five candidates, it will be an uncontested election,” he said.

Gorkhe is the second BJP leader from Pimpri-Chinchwad to become an MLC, following Uma Khapre.