The brutal murder of Massajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district has shocked Maharashtra, with tensions rising across the political spectrum.
In a major development, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Prakash Solanke has demanded the resignation of his fellow party leader and Maharashtra’s Food and Civil Supply Minister, Dhananjay Munde.
This call for resignation is aimed at ensuring a fair and impartial investigation into the killing of Deshmukh, which continues to stir controversy and tension in the region.
Prakash Solanke, who is a prominent figure within the NCP, has expressed concerns over the involvement of local politics in the tragic incident.
He accused Munde, who previously served as the Beed district guardian minister, of allowing his close confidant, Walmik Karad, to wield significant power in local political affairs.
Karad, who has now been arrested in connection with an extortion case linked to the murder, was allegedly allowed by Munde to become an "extra-constitutional authority" in the district.
This involvement has been cited as a key factor in the rise of criminal activities and extortion, which are believed to have contributed to the vitiated atmosphere in the area.
Solanke, in his statement, underscored the need for a clean and unbiased inquiry into Deshmukh’s murder. He urged Munde to either resign voluntarily or face removal by the party leadership, to pave the way for a transparent investigation.
Solanke argued that the social fabric of Beed had been severely impacted by the alleged criminal activities, which were reportedly conducted under Karad's patronage. In his view, this situation warranted a step-down from Munde in order to ensure the credibility of the ongoing probe.
The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, which took place on December 4, has already led to significant developments.
Following the killing, the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended several suspects, including Sudarshan Ghule and Sudhir Sangle, who had been on the run since the incident.
Despite these actions, the political controversy continues to deepen. Solanke, an outspoken critic, has reiterated his demand for Munde’s resignation, especially in the light of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IPS officer Basavraj Teli, which has been formed to look into the case.
The political tension surrounding the issue heightened after Munde, in a public statement, refused to step down. Munde questioned the rationale behind such demands, asserting that he had no involvement in the incident and was not connected to the accused.
His firm stance has further fuelled the political debate, with opponents accusing him of turning a blind eye to the situation in Beed.
Solanke, however, remains steadfast in his call for Munde’s removal. He also voiced his concern over the lack of swift action, even as the CID continues to investigate the case.
In an effort to ensure that justice is served, Solanke met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, where he reiterated his demands for Munde's ousting from the Council of Ministers.
The deputy CM assured him that an impartial investigation was underway and pledged that any illegal activities, including their potential misuse for political purposes, would be thoroughly examined.
BJP legislator Suresh Dhas, who has been actively speaking out on the matter, also joined the call for Munde to remain without a portfolio until the charges in the case were formally filed. His vocal criticism has added to the growing pressure on the NCP leadership to take action.
Dhas argued that Munde’s continued position in the government could potentially affect the investigation’s integrity and fairness.
As the investigation progresses, the controversy surrounding the murder has also sparked large-scale protests. In Beed and Parbhani, all-party morchas have been organised, demanding swift justice for Deshmukh and calling for the arrest of all those involved in the crime.
Protesters, including members of the pro-Maratha reservation movement, have expressed their outrage, particularly over allegations of threats being made to Deshmukh’s family.
Manoj Jarange Patil, an activist from the Maratha community, has warned that if the Deshmukh family faces any further intimidation, he would mobilise public support to hold Dhananjay Munde accountable.
The call for Munde’s resignation has sparked a chain of political responses. While some have echoed Solanke’s demand for accountability, others have expressed doubts about the extent of his involvement in the case.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CID’s investigation continues to unfold, with the families of the victims, local politicians, and the public closely monitoring the developments.
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