Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde on Monday received a setback in his hometown Parli in Beed. Munde loyalist Jugal Kishore Lohia lost to Deepak Deshmukh, backed by Dhananjay Munde, Mr Munde’s nephew, in the election to the chairmanship of the Parli municipal council.
However, Mr Munde dismissed the setback saying it was the expected result. “I was aware of the possible outcome. In the past, expressing faith in me on several occasions, I have been equated (by Dhananjay Munde) with God. But the true picture has emerged,” said the BJP leader, who was upset with his nephew. The BJP had got a clear majority in Parli, winning 17 out of total 32 seats. The Congress and NCP won six and eight seats respectively while there was one Independent.