Amit Shah unveils 20-foot statue of Gopinath Munde in Parli

A 20-foot statue of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde was unveiled on Saturday by party national president Amit Shah in the former’s hometown, Parli, Beed.

Mr Shah hoped that the memorial would serve as inspiration for those hailing from farmers’ families and backward classes. All state BJP leaders, including chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, came together at Parli on the occasion of the first birth anniversary of the late leader.

“Gopinath Munde has largely contributed in expanding the party’s base among backward classes and farmers. Coming from a small village, he rose to becoming a deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji had entrusted him with the responsibility of the rural development ministry but his death was unfortunate,” said Mr Shah after inaugurating the statue of the late leader.

Mr Shah said the memorial is a symbol of struggle and appreciated the work done by the state government, stating that a lot of schemes have been launched for the welfare of farmers.

The BJP national president further stated, “No opposition member can raise a finger at the BJP-led government for corruption.”

Recalling Gopinath Munde’s contribution as home minister of the state, Mr Fadnavis said the late leader had destroyed criminal activities in the underworld. “Gopinath Munde carried out the first political transformation in the state by leading Sangharsh Yatra. He destroyed criminal activities in the underworld and we will follow suit,” said the chief minister.

“We will work so effectively for farmers in five years that there will be no more suicides,” the chief minister stressed.

Meanwhile, a memorial called “Gopinath Gad” with lotus symbol has been built at Parli’s Vaidyanath Sugar factory where the leader was cremated. Pankaja Munde, rural development minister and late Gopinath Munde’s daughter, said that a study centre would be started at the memorial for poor and needy students.

“I will always struggle to fulfil my father’s dreams. I will help children of sugarcane cutters, farmers and poor labourers by setting up a study centre here,” she declared.