29 January,2025 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Dhananjay Munde. File Pic
Amid opposition call for his resignation over the Beed sarpanch murder case, Dhananjay Munde on Wednesday said that he is ready to quit if asked by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or deputy CM Ajit Pawar, reported the PTI.
Maharashtra cabinet member Dhananjay Munde, a senior member of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is facing heat since the kidnapping-murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Maharashtra's Beed, the minister's home district, in December.
Dhananjay Munde's close associate Walmik Karad has been arrested in an extortion case linked to the murder.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Dhananjay Munde said, "If Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy CM Ajit Pawar believe that I am guilty, they should ask for my resignation. I am ready to step down. It is for them to decide whether I am guilty or not. I have been targeted for the past 51 days," according to the PTI.
ALSO READ
Ajit Pawar warns NCP workers in Beed against extortion and interference
Large funds withdrawn through bogus bills when Dhananjay Munde was Beed guardian minister: MLA
Pankaja Munde discusses issues faced by district co-op banks with Ajit Pawar
Will quit ministry if Fadnavis or Ajit Pawar ask me: Dhananjay Munde
Anjali Damania gives Maharashtra govt four-day ultimatum to act against Munde
The food and civil supplies minister faced renewed call for resignation after social activist Anjali Damania claimed to have submitted "evidence" against him to his party president Ajit Pawar, who has strongly backed his party and cabinet colleague so far.
Dhananjay Munde, however, dismissed the possibility of resigning from the cabinet on moral grounds, as per the PTI.
"My morality is rooted in my honesty towards my people. I speak with complete sincerity. I do not consider myself morally guilty. If I am guilty, my senior leaders will tell me so," asserted the MLA from Parli in Beed district.
Earlier in the day, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said Munde should resign on moral grounds.
Sarpanch Deshmukh was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9 for allegedly trying to stop an extortion bid targeting an energy firm in Beed district in central Maharashtra.
Police have arrested seven persons in the murder case, while Walmik Karad was held in the extortion case and is currently in jail under judicial custody. He has been booked under anti-organised crime law MCOCA.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Dhananjay Munde had said one should think of the emotional condition of his children while he is facing false allegations.
(with PTI inputs)
