Industries Minister Narayan Rane, under whom Munde was Deputy Chief Minister in 1999, said the late BJP leader had exceptional command on rural issues. PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal lauded Munde for his contributions to the backward classes.
“Munde was the first in BJP to support our demand for OBC census. He would always introduce me as his OBC leader even though we belonged to different parties,” he said. Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said Munde was a large-hearted leader.
Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam said Munde was instrumental in breaking the back of the underworld in Mumbai as state's Home Minister.
“Leaders like Vilasrao Deshmukh, Rajesh Pilot, Madhavrao Scindia and Gopinath Munde are not created overnight. It is heart wrenching when fate snatches them away suddenly and so cruelly,” he said.
