Synopsis
Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde resigned amid allegations of involvement in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh. His aide, Walmik Karad, was arrested. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP leaders deemed his continuation untenable. Munde cited health concerns and emotional distress. NCP’s Supriya Sule criticized his lack of remorse, while cousin Pankaja Munde felt his resignation should have been earlier.
AgenciesMumbai: Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has resigned from his position following a public outcry over his alleged involvement in the brutal murder of Massajog sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh. The resignation came hours after shocking images of the assault on Deshmukh went viral, intensifying accusations of Munde’s connection to the crime.
Walmik Karad, a close aide and business partner of Munde, has been arrested in connection with Deshmukh’s murder.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with NCP leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and others, conveyed to Munde that his continuation as a minister was no longer tenable.
On Tuesday morning, Munde submitted his resignation letter to Fadnavis, who promptly accepted it and so did the governor.
Speaking to journalists in the Assembly, Fadnavis confirmed: “Dhananjay Munde has resigned from his post, and I have accepted his resignation, relieving him of his duties. I have sent the resignation to the governor.”
Ajit Pawar stated that Munde resigned on “moral grounds.”
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Munde cited health concerns and the emotional toll of the case as the primary reasons for his resignation. “I have always maintained that the accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case should be punished. The disturbing images I have seen have affected me deeply. After consulting my doctors, I have been advised to take treatment, which is why I have decided to resign,” Munde said.
Opposition parties, however, were quick to criticize both Munde and the government. NCP(SCP) national working president Supriya Sule called out the minister’s lack of remorse. “If you read Munde’s statements, there is no acknowledgment of the moral weight of his resignation. He speaks only of medical reasons, showing an utter lack of sensitivity,” she said.
Pankaja Munde, BJP MLC and Dhananjay Munde’s cousin, who had refrained from commenting previously, also expressed her displeasure. “His resignation should have come much earlier,” she remarked.
