Pankaja Munde Offers To Quit As BJP Loses Seats In Her Home Turf

New Delhi: Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde offered to quit today after the ruling BJP lost most of its seats in local body elections in her home turf. But Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he would not accept her resignation.

The BJP lost eight out of 10 zila parishad or district council seats in Ms Munde's hometown Parli in Beed district, beaten by her estranged cousin Dhanajay Munde, who is with the NCP of Sharad Pawar.

The rout contrasted with the party's exceptional performance in civic elections in the state. The BJP looks set to win 80 seats in the Mumbai civic body BMC, a close second to its estranged partner Shiv Sena. It is tipped to win eight out of 10 major Maharashtra municipalities where elections were held.

"I take responsibility for the defeat," Ms Munde told the ANI news agency.

The 37-year-old daughter of former union minister Gopinath Munde is in charge of women and child development.

The defeat is personal for her; the man who was ranged against her was cousin Dhananjay, an NCP legislator.

The BJP said there was no reason for Ms Munde to resign.

"I had a word with Pankaja Munde. Victory never went into our head and we never got depressed with defeat," said Raosaheb Danve, chief of the Maharashtra BJP, adding, "I personally do not find a valid reason behind her decision to put in papers. I feel people's issues will not be solved by her resignation."

Mr Danve also described her as a senior leader and "part of our core team" and remarked, "She is upset with Zilla Parishad results and we will try to find amicable solutions to her worries."

Last year, Ms Munde did not hide her resentment after she lost the important water conservation portfolio in a cabinet shuffle. In a twitter exchange, the Chief Minister appeared to placate the sulking minister.

Today, Mr Fadnavis is the man of the moment after the BJP's spectacular victory in the Mumbai civic polls.