Maharashtra Governor Accepts Resignation of Dhananjay Munde
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Synopsis
Maharashtra's Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan accepted Dhananjay Munde's resignation as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, following a recommendation from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis amid rising controversies regarding a murder case.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra Governor accepts Dhananjay Munde's resignation.
- Resignation follows Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' recommendation.
- Controversy revolves around Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh's murder.
- Munde cites moral grounds and health issues for stepping down.
- Opposition demands accountability from the government.
Mumbai, March 4 (NationPress) - On Tuesday evening, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan officially accepted the resignation of Dhananjay Munde, the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection and a member of the NCP, following the recommendation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
A statement from the Governor’s House confirmed, “Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan has accepted the resignation of Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Dhananjay Munde as per the recommendation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.”
Earlier that day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan that he had accepted Munde’s resignation from the Council of Ministers. Munde held a key role in the state government, and his resignation comes in light of the growing controversy surrounding his close associate, Walmik Karad, who has been implicated as the mastermind behind the murder of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
While processing the resignation, Fadnavis remarked: “Dhananjay Munde has submitted his resignation. I have accepted it, and it has been forwarded to the Governor for further action. Munde is now relieved from his ministerial duties.”
Munde’s resignation was prompted by the Chief Minister's directive, especially following the viral dissemination of photos and videos depicting the brutal murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh on Monday.
This development followed a high-level meeting held on Monday night involving the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare, and Munde.
In response to Munde's resignation, Ajit Pawar stated that it was a decision made on moral grounds. Sunil Tatkare added, “According to the CID investigation, Munde has no connection to the murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Nevertheless, Munde has chosen to resign as a responsible politician.”
On his part, Munde explained that his resignation stemmed from his conscience and health issues. In a post on X, he expressed: “I have consistently demanded that the culprits behind the heinous murder of late Santosh Deshmukh be dealt with severely. The distressing images that emerged yesterday left me heartbroken. The investigation has concluded, and the charge sheet is filed in court, with a judicial inquiry also suggested. Given my conscience and my deteriorating health, for which the doctor has advised treatment, I have resigned from the cabinet.”
Dhananjay Munde's cousin and BJP minister Pankaja Munde remarked that he should have resigned sooner and suggested that he should never have taken the oath of office, implying that if he hadn’t become a minister, the current predicament could have been avoided.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticized the MahaYuti government and the NCP in particular regarding Munde’s resignation. The Congress called for the resignations of Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, while Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray asserted that the MahaYuti government should be dissolved.
