Maharashtra BJP's internal strife spills over as Pankaja Munde tweets displeasure

Internal strife in BJP over the cabinet reshuffle in the Maharashtra government spilled out into public as Maharashta chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP leader Pankaja Munde took to Twitter to express themselves. Apparently miffed over losing key portfolios in the Maharashtra government, Munde tweeted displeasure. After last week’s cabinet reshuffle, Munde lost two key portfolios: Water Conservation and Employment Guarantee Schemes, both of which are key drivers of the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, a flagship venture of the government in the drought-hit state, according to a report published in The Indian Express. Munde had gone to Singapore to attend World Water Conference, where she was scheduled to give a presentation on the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan. But when she found out that she had been divested of the portfolio, Munde conveyed her displeasure through social media.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis, who was in Russia, was quick to respond. In what looked like an attempt to pacify an upset Munde, the chief minister tweeted out that she must attend the summit as a representative and senior minister in the Maharashtra government.

Fadnavis’ decission to strip Munde of the key portfolio is being seen as a measure to toughen up on non-performers, as reported in the Economic Times . Munde was earlier caught in controversy, during her tenure in the Water Conservation ministry, for taking a selfie while touring drought-hit regions of Maharashtra. The minister drew a lot of flak from the Opposition and allies over the image she posted on social media.