Munde avoids Delhi visit, takes adamant stand

Mumbai, Apr 21 (UNI) Defying the BJP high command's directives to come to New delhi to resolve differences in the Maharashtra unit of the party, Mr Gopinath Munde today reiterated that the party was not functioning in a democratic manner.

''Since the last four years, the decisions in the party are taken by few leaders without the collective consent'', Mr Munde, the party's national general secretary, told reporters, a day after resigning from all organisational posts in the BJP.

He said the party's group leaders in the legislature Eknath Khadse and Pandurang Phundkar will put forth his views before the high command.

''Though I have resigned from all organisational posts in the party, I will continue to work as a loyal worker of the BJP and there is no question of forming or joining any other political party'', Mr Munde said.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Nitin Gadkari and former union minister Ram Naik have already reached New Delhi. Mr Khadse and Mr Phundkar are expected to reach there this evening.

In a related development, the BJP legislature party at its meeting today passed a resolution, saying that Mr Munde is the leader of the party and he should withdraw his resignation.

The party will continue to grow under his leadership, Mr Khadse said.

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