India: Beed Sarpanch murder fallout: NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde resigns amid Maharastra political storm

Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister and senior NCP leader Dhananjay Munde resigned on Tuesday following mounting political pressure over the brutal murder of Beed’s Massajog sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh.

His resignation came after the state CID named Munde’s close associate, Walmik Karad, as the mastermind behind the killing, triggering a major political controversy.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed Munde to step down as opposition parties and ruling allies demanded accountability. Munde, who has been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, sent his resignation through an aide instead of appearing in person at the Chief Minister’s Office. His resignation follows the release of disturbing photos and videos of Deshmukh’s murder, which went viral, further intensifying public outrage.

The 1,800-page charge sheet, filed by the CID, details how Karad and his associates conspired to eliminate Deshmukh over a land dispute involving Avaada Energy.

Investigators found that Karad and his men had been extorting money from the company and saw Deshmukh as an obstacle to their operations. The investigation, backed by forensic evidence, established Karad’s role in the extortion racket linked to the murder. Eight accused have been named, though one remains absconding.

Charges

Police sources revealed that on October 8, 2024, Avaada Energy’s land acquisition officer, Shivaji Thopte, was summoned by Karad and warned to pay Rs2 crore or risk having all company operations shut down in Beed. When Deshmukh later intervened, urging the gang to let the company function for the sake of local employment, he was issued death threats. The charge sheet states that on November 29, Karad, along with Sudarshan Ghule and other conspirators, met at an office in Kej to finalize their plan, which ultimately led to Deshmukh’s abduction and murder on December 9.

NCP president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who initially backed Munde, ultimately asked him to resign after the revelations became undeniable. “Munde has resigned on moral grounds,” Pawar said, but the opposition is unconvinced, arguing that the government attempted to shield him until the evidence became overwhelming.

BJP minister Pankaja Munde, his cousin and political rival, criticized the delay in his resignation, stating, “Had he stepped down earlier, dignity could have been maintained. Resignation is nothing compared to the pain of the victim’s family.” She further expressed horror at the brutal nature of the killing, stating that she did not even have the courage to watch the viral murder videos.

Special prosecutor

Meanwhile, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the Mahayuti government, demanding the resignation of CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Pawar for allegedly shielding Munde. “The entire state has been crying after the images of Deshmukh’s murder surfaced. The government had all the evidence but protected Munde for two months. This proves their complicity,” said Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal. He further accused the administration of attempting to suppress the case and said the resignation was too little, too late.

Political analysts believe that Munde’s resignation may not be the last fallout from this high-profile case. With the appointment of senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the special prosecutor, the government appears keen to push for swift justice. However, the incident has already cast a long shadow over the ruling coalition, with opposition leaders vowing to keep up the pressure in the coming weeks.

As the investigation continues and the legal battle unfolds, the case has become a significant political flashpoint in Maharashtra, with potential implications for the upcoming elections.

Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde on Tuesday welcomed the resignation of her cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde amid his alleged links to accused in Beed Sarpanch murder case.

“I know Dhananjay Munde has resigned, and I welcome it. This decision should have been taken earlier. If it had been taken earlier, maybe he could have avoided this situation,” Pankaja Munde told the media.

Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde on Tuesday welcomed the resignation of her cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde amid his alleged links to accused in Beed Sarpanch murder case.

“I know Dhananjay Munde has resigned, and I welcome it. This decision should have been taken earlier. If it had been taken earlier, maybe he could have avoided this situation,” Pankaja Munde told the media.

He was then a minister in Uddhav Thackeray’s cabinet.