Pankaja Munde wants to be a leader like her father

Nagpur: Rural development minister Pankaja Munde on Friday said that she would like to become a leader who was accepted by all communities in the state and rise above caste politics like her father, the late Gopinath Munde. On entering national politics, she said, “I would like to join national politics in the future, but by choice.”

Interacting with mediapersons, Ms Munde, said, “There is nothing wrong if family members of politicians enter politics if they are deserving.

“But Congress president Rahul Gandhi does not have leadership qualities. He can’t talk properly, but he is in politics because of dynasty politics. If I am capable, people will support me. Dynasty can’t be a barrier for leaders,” she said.

Ms Munde spoke about several issues, including leadership and controversies and clashes with cousin and Nationalist Congress Party Dhananjay Munde.

She said that she was trying to carry forward the legacy of her father. He was not only a leader of the OBC community but also a state leader accepted by all communities. “I would like to become that kind of leader, one who is accepted by all.”

On whether she would like to join national politics like other senior leaders from the state, she said, “Certainly, I would like to join at the national level. Poonam Mahajan was not very active in the state but concentrated at the national level. I would like to enter national politics but by my choice.”