New Delhi:
Gopinath munde, BJP's national vice president and the party's deputy leader in Lok Sabha, is ready to revolt. Reason: The rise of his one-time junior Nitin Gadkari has reduced his muscle in their home state Maharashtra.
Munde, a prominent OBC leader from Maharashtra, is said to be upset since his supporter Yogesh Gogawale was sidelined for the post of Pune BJP president and Gadkari loyalist Vikas Mathkari was appointed instead.
Reacting to Munde's threats on Friday the BJP called for a meeting of its top leaders in Delhi; Munde too reached the national capital.
Since Gadkari couldn't make it for the meeting, former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu led the peace talks along with party colleague Ananth Kumar.
The party is keen to end Munde's unrest as this dissent is a personal embarrassment to party chief Gadkari who was asked by the RSS to end infighting.
On the face of it, the BJP says no worries.
"Advaniji and Gadkariji will meet Mundeji today. We had a long and amicable meeting discussing various issues with him. We now have a fair idea of the problem, we are certain that the problem will be resolved," said Mr Naidu after the talks.
Gadkari, who also hails from Maharashtra and with whom Munde is said to have strong differences, may meet the disgruntled leader in a bid to sort out the issues raised by the latter.
Gadkari was scheduled to attend the meeting of the Central leadership with Munde. He was in Dehradun holding a meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and state ministers.
Munde was once a powerful name in Maharashtra BJP, thanks to his late brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan.
Though he belongs to a backward community which accounts for a little less than 10 per cent votes, his crisis is that among the BJP's opponents, there are no takers for him. The Congress is playing the wait and watch game, realising that Munde can weaken the BJP in the crucial state.
The BJP is happy that the NCP, the other big player in Maharashtra, says there is no place for him.
Munde is battling for a greater say in Maharashtra in form of appointment of his men in key posts in the state unit. But the BJP high command isn't ready to give in, at least publically as succumbing to revolt by one leader may enthuse rebels in other states.
Munde, a prominent OBC leader from Maharashtra, is said to be upset since his supporter Yogesh Gogawale was sidelined for the post of Pune BJP president and Gadkari loyalist Vikas Mathkari was appointed instead.
Reacting to Munde's threats on Friday the BJP called for a meeting of its top leaders in Delhi; Munde too reached the national capital.
Since Gadkari couldn't make it for the meeting, former BJP president Venkaiah Naidu led the peace talks along with party colleague Ananth Kumar.
The party is keen to end Munde's unrest as this dissent is a personal embarrassment to party chief Gadkari who was asked by the RSS to end infighting.
On the face of it, the BJP says no worries.
"Advaniji and Gadkariji will meet Mundeji today. We had a long and amicable meeting discussing various issues with him. We now have a fair idea of the problem, we are certain that the problem will be resolved," said Mr Naidu after the talks.
Gadkari, who also hails from Maharashtra and with whom Munde is said to have strong differences, may meet the disgruntled leader in a bid to sort out the issues raised by the latter.
Gadkari was scheduled to attend the meeting of the Central leadership with Munde. He was in Dehradun holding a meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and state ministers.
Munde was once a powerful name in Maharashtra BJP, thanks to his late brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan.
Though he belongs to a backward community which accounts for a little less than 10 per cent votes, his crisis is that among the BJP's opponents, there are no takers for him. The Congress is playing the wait and watch game, realising that Munde can weaken the BJP in the crucial state.
The BJP is happy that the NCP, the other big player in Maharashtra, says there is no place for him.
Munde is battling for a greater say in Maharashtra in form of appointment of his men in key posts in the state unit. But the BJP high command isn't ready to give in, at least publically as succumbing to revolt by one leader may enthuse rebels in other states.
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