MUMBAI: Nearly three months after the murder of a sarpanch and revelations about his links with the prime accused, NCP minister Dhananjay Munde on Tuesday resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet citing the dictates of his “conscience” and “health”. Sources said the decision followed an ultimatum from CM Devendra Fadnavis in anticipation of a blowback from the opposition.
Munde, who had refused to step down saying he had no involvement in the case, was offered the option to quit or face dismissal, said sources. On Monday evening, Fadnavis and deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar met Munde and demanded that he quit.
It coincided with TV channels and websites running visuals – part of the chargesheet in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case – depicting the brutal manner in which the sarpanch was killed by a gang of extortionists.
The resignation was announced by the CM during the budget session, but not in the assembly. Later in a statement, Munde said, “Seeing the photos that surfaced yesterday, my heart is deeply saddened… Keeping in mind my conscience and as my health has not been good… I have resigned.”
At Monday’s meeting, Fadnavis said that in the larger interest of the state, it would be better if Munde voluntarily quit, said sources. Pawar endorsed the view, saying he too had faced charges of corruption in 2012. He had then resigned and was back in the cabinet following a preliminary inquiry that exonerated him.
BJP minister and Dhananjay’s cousin Pankaja Munde said, “I do not have the courage to watch the video… this is an inhuman act. I apologize to Santosh Deshmukh’s mother. My brother should have resigned long back.”
Dhananjay links to the murder had surfaced when BJP legislator Suresh Dhas spoke at length about the involvement of Walmik Karad, a trusted aide of the minister.