Just three months after the government was formed in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and minister Dhananjay Munde resigned from the cabinet. His decision followed a controversy involving his close aide Walmik Karad, who is allegedly linked to the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
This political storm is not the only one for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Several senior leaders from the Mahayuti alliance—which includes the Shiv Sena and NCP factions—have also sparked controversies, forcing the CM to act.
Fadnavis Consults BJP Top Brass
To restore order in the government before the upcoming local body elections post-monsoon, Fadnavis recently visited New Delhi for two days. During this trip, he reportedly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda.
According to a senior BJP leader, “The CM is of the opinion that action needs to be taken against the errant ministers to set an example. The controversies around these ministers have dented the image of the government, which the CM has conveyed to his two deputies. He is expected to hold a meeting with both early next week.”
However, this leader added that no immediate action is expected. “It will give fodder to the opposition to rejoice and seek credit for action taken on them,” he said.
Cabinet Faces Public Embarrassment
Munde's resignation caused a major embarrassment for the government. His photos linked to the murder case surfaced on social media and triggered outrage in the Maratha community.
“There’s already damage done, and more resignations will only worsen things,” the BJP leader said. He hinted that some ministers facing allegations may soon lose their major portfolios. “A reshuffle of portfolios held by the tainted ministers is likely over the next few weeks. They may be given insignificant portfolios,” he said.
NCP Leaders Hold Backroom Meetings
After meeting Fadnavis in Delhi, Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare traveled to Pune. There, he held a long and private meeting with Ajit Pawar, the NCP national president and deputy chief minister.
A senior NCP functionary said, “The state president had a meeting with the chief minister late on Thursday evening. He then met Ajit dada, which indicates something is going on. But whether the party wants to take any action against its minister is yet to be seen. Ultimately, it will be the party’s decision.”
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar told reporters in Pune, “It is the prerogative of the CM,” when asked about another possible resignation. He added, “I will meet the CM on Tuesday and discuss the matter with him.”
A Possible Return for Munde?
Despite the controversy, Ajit Pawar hinted at a possible comeback for Dhananjay Munde. Speaking in Pune on Friday, Pawar said that if Munde is cleared of all charges, he could return to the cabinet.
Munde has already received a clean chit from the Bombay High Court in a corruption case related to the purchase of agricultural equipment during his tenure as agriculture minister until October 2024.
Pawar said, “We are looking into another case related to him in which a judicial probe is going on. If he gets a clean chit from it, he may be inducted back in the cabinet.”