Gopinath Munde resigns over Chavan's appointment as Mumbai BJP chief

Mumbai, Apr 20 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Gopinath Munde today sent his resignation to party President Rajnath Singh following the appointment of Mr Madhu Chavan as the President of the Party's Mumbai unit.

Party sources confirmed the development. Mr Munde was not immediately available for comments as he was on his way to Aurangabad.

Mr Chavan's name was cleared by the party high command after a three member committee of the party, comprising former Minister Ram Naik, Mr Vedprakash Goel and Mr Balasaheb Apte, had elicited opinion from city party workers and submitted a report to the national leadership, party release said. The statement claimed that Mr Munde was consulted in his regard.

The appointment of BJP Mumbai President was overdue as Mr Prakash Mehta continued to hold the post even after his term ended 15 months ago.

Mr Munde's resignation is being seen as a pressure tactic by the leader to prove his supremacy in the party in the state, according to BJP sources. The sources said there would not be any change in the appointment of Mr Chavan.

Incidentally, Mr Munde shared the dias with Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, State BJP President Nitin Gadkari yesterday at a function which was compered by Mr Chavan.

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