NCP’s Dhananjay Munde resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet, citing conscience and health reasons after the Beed sarpanch murder case.

MUMBAI: After resigning from the Maharashtra cabinet, NCP’s Dhananjay Munde issued a statement that he had demanded “the strictest punishment” for the accused in the Beed sarpanch murder case. “Seeing the photos that surfaced yesterday, my heart is deeply saddened.” He said, “keeping in mind my conscience and as my health has not been good…the doctor has advised me…treatment for the next few days. Therefore, I have resigned…also for medical reasons.”
A meeting between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CM Ajit Pawar and food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde on Monday evening had both the CM and the deputy CM demanding that the NCP MLA from Parli put in his papers, said sources.
Fadnavis pointed out that in the larger interest of the state, it would be better if Munde voluntarily resigned, said sources.

Pawar endorsed the view, saying he too had fa ced charges of corruption when he was water resources minister in 2012. He had resigned then and was later back in the cabinet following a preliminary inquiry which exonerated him. Munde initially stood his ground saying the allegations against him were baseless and that he has not even been named in the FIR.
However, Fadnavis’s insistence left Munde with no options, said sources. He was told to quit by Tuesday morning or face a dismissal by the CM, who was intent on a recommendation to the Governor to dismiss him from the cabinet. Munde eventually submitted his resignation to the CM on Tuesday morning. As per procedure, the resignation was forwarded to the Governor, who accepted it.
NCP and BJP leaders admitted to TOI that the Munde episode had tarnished the image of the govt and blamed Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for refusing to jettison the minister earlier and salvage the image of the coalition govt.
BJP minister and Dhananjay’s cousin Pankaja Munde, who was in Nagpur for an event, said, “I had no idea about Dhananjay Munde’s resignation…I had written a letter to the CM requesting him to probe this matter. I do not have the courage to watch the video that came to light…this is an inhumane act. I apologize to Santosh Deshmukh’s mother. I am also a mother. Therefore, I can understand the impact it may have had on her,” she said, breaking down. “My brother should have resigned long back…the dignity of the post would have been preserved.”
Despite Munde’s resignation, the opposition criticized the CM and deputy CM for “protecting” the minister. “Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar should have acted a long time back. Both gave a long rope to Munde and in the process, the state’s image has been tarnished,” NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar said. A bandh was observed in parts of Beed on Tuesday.

Congress plans to file privilege notice against Fadnavis

The Congress legislature party plans to file a breach of privilege notice against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the resignation of food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde.
Former MPCC president and MLA Nana Patole said that as per the rules of the legislature, it was the responsibility of the CM to first disclose the information in the house and then outside.
“It is the convention; it was expected from the CM to follow legislature rules. Instead of making the announcement before the media, Fadnavis should have first disclosed it in the house,” Patole said.
He said the CM was suppressing information from the house. “We will move a breach of privilege motion against the CM on Wednesday,” Patole said.