Gopinath Munde’s birthday to be a show of OBC power

Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders from different political parties are likely to come together on the 61st birthday of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician Gopinath Munde and showcase the community’s position of power in the state’s politics.

Marathas have dominated Maharashtra’s politics for decades, holding most of the key positions in the government. Each time a government was formed, OBCs failed to get the most-coveted portfolios. Even if they did manage to secure them, they were forced to leave the job without completing their tenure.

According to political observers, Munde wants to use his birthday to make a statement about the changing political equation in the state. If OBC leaders manage to come together, there could be a repeat of what happened in Uttar Pradesh with Mayawati coming to power.

It is believed that Munde has been sidelined in the BJP after the murder of his brother-in-law Pramod Mahajan, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the party high command bringing in Nitin Gadkari to head the BJP.

Munde thus has his own reasons to join hands with other strong OBC leaders like Bhujbal. In a recent public show, he said he is willing to accept Bhujbal as the leader of OBCs in the state. During Bhujbal’s 60th birthday celebrations, Munde was the chief guest while Peasants and Workers’ Party leader Jayant Patil was a conveyor. All three are OBCs.

An OBC leader claimed that 50% of the state’s population comprises OBCs. But they are unevenly distributed and their political loyalties are divided. No political party has been able to exploit this vote bank fully.