A day after activist Anjali Damania met Ajit Pawar with evidence suggesting financial connections between Cabinet Minister Dhananjay Munde and Valmik Karad, and demanded the minister's ouster, the Deputy Chief Minister firmly stated that Munde will not be asked to resign until the inquiry into the murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh is completed.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he called the murder of Deshmukh a “heinous crime” and emphasised that the guilty would face severe consequences, including the death penalty. However, he underlined that no innocent person would face action without conclusive evidence.
“Justice must prevail,” Pawar said. “The inquiry by SIT, CID and a judicial panel is ongoing. Until the investigation names Dhananjay Munde or proves his involvement, no action will be taken against him. We cannot punish someone based on mere allegations.”
Munde Invokes Emotional Turmoil
A visibly upset Dhananjay Munde met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and attended a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Munde said one should think of the emotional condition of his children while he is facing false allegations. “My daughter, who is in the third grade, is being asked by her friends if her father is involved in a murder case. Imagine the pain of facing such questions,” he said.
Munde also dismissed accusations by Anjali Damania, who alleged his involvement in profiting from the disposal of ash at the Parli Thermal Power Plant. He clarified that, under a 2006 Supreme Court order, the thermal power company is solely responsible for ash disposal. “Mahanirmiti is a corporation, and the government has no role in this process. Accusations of the office of profit are baseless,” Munde said.
When asked about opposition parties’ continued demands for his resignation, Munde deferred the matter to CM Fadnavis and DCM Pawar, stating that their decision would be final.
Dhas Raises Concerns
BJP MLA Suresh Dhas on Tuesday said Ajit Pawar is supposed to take a call on the growing demand for Munde's resignation. Dhas said he never demanded Munde's resignation.”Munde belongs to the NCP and only Ajit Pawar can decide on his resignation, not Fadnavis,” Dhas told reporters.
Dhas further alleged that in Parli taluka, the police officers who have been stationed at Bardapur, Parli Gramin, Parli Sambhajinagar and Sirsola police stations for the last 10-17 years should be transferred outside. Secondly, all the people who helped Karad escape have had their phone numbers provided to the police. He also demanded a special audit of the Parli Municipal Council alleging that bills amounting to Rs46 crore have been cleared in the name of an accused Vishnu Chate. Funds were taken five times for the same road, he further said.
Meanwhile, Damania reiterated that she will not back down until Munde is ousted.
