Gopinath Munde has made BJP a party of the common man: LK Advani

Terming senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde as a bright political activist, party veteran LK Advani today said that Munde had taken the party to the common man.

"Munde has been instrumental in creating a special place for BJP in Maharashtra...He has made BJP a party of the common man," Advani said after felicitating the former deputy chief minister on the occasion of his 61st birthday in Mumbai today.

Advani pointed to the galaxy of leaders from all major political parties who were present on the dais to describe how Munde had gone beyond "political untouchability".

The leaders included Congress minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, NCP ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Jayant Patil, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil.

"I was hearing the speeches made by these leaders about Munde and I noticed their affection towards him in the speeches," Advani said.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said Munde had no political legacy and had risen from a grassroot level.

"Although I am BJP president whenever I look at him (Munde) I feel he is my leader," Gadkari said.