BJP's Pankaja Munde calls on ailing Bhujbal, raises eyebrows

Maharashtra Women and Child development Minister Pankaja Munde today called on former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal who is admitted in the JJ hospital. Bhujbal is currently lodged in the Arthur road jail in an alleged money laundering case.

Bhujbal was admitted in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of the JJ hospital on September 17, after he complained of weakness and headache, and was diagnosed with viral fever when prison doctors examined him.

PANKAJA-BHUJBAL CONNECTION

Pankaja's visit to Bhujbal in hospital has raised eyebrows as the visit comes at a time when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is in the US on an official tour. Both Pankaja and Bhujbal hail from the OBC community. Pankaja's father and senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde and Bhujbal shared a good rapport and shared similiar views OBC community upliftment.

Political observers also feel that the visit could be an attempt by Pankaja to send across a message at a time when she feels cornered in her party. The meeting also gains significance on the backdrop of huge rallies by the Maratha community to demand reservations and scrapping of the Atrocities Act.

"Both Munde and Bhujbal shared the common ideology of OBCs. Gopinathji had high regards for Bhujbal as a mass leader of the OBCs."said a close aide of Pankaja Munde about the visit.

NCP's VIEW ABOUT THE VISIT

The NCP took this opportunity to pinch the BJP. "Pankaja perhaps feels that injustice has been meted out to Bhujbal. She should now raise the matter with the Chief Minister, "said NCP Spokesperson Nawab Malik.

Pankaj spend over 20 minutes with Bhujbal where she inquired about his health.