Maharashtra’s political landscape witnessed a significant upheaval on Tuesday as Dhananjay Munde, the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, tendered his resignation. The move, confirmed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a press address in Mumbai, follows intense scrutiny over Munde’s alleged ties to a brutal murder case in Beed district. Fadnavis stated that he had accepted the resignation and forwarded it to the Governor for further action, marking the end of Munde’s tenure in the cabinet—at least for now.

The resignation stems from the December 9, 2024, murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village, who was abducted, tortured, and killed after opposing an extortion bid targeting an energy company. Munde’s close aide, Walmik Karad, emerged as the prime accused in the case, with a 1,200-page chargesheet filed by the state CID implicating him under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The graphic evidence of the crime, including viral photographs showcasing the barbarity, amplified public and political outrage, placing Munde in the crosshairs.

Opposition parties, alongside some within the ruling Mahayuti coalition, had relentlessly demanded Munde’s exit, arguing that his association with Karad compromised his moral authority. Despite Munde’s earlier defense—claiming he had no direct involvement and had pushed for a fast-track trial—the pressure proved insurmountable. Sources indicate that Fadnavis, after late-night discussions with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on March 3, instructed Munde to step down, a decision executed hours before the second day of the Maharashtra Budget Session.

Munde, a key NCP figure and MLA from Parli, leaves behind a contentious legacy. While his party’s leadership initially stood by him, this resignation underscores the weight of accountability in Maharashtra’s volatile political arena, raising questions about the ripple effects on the NCP and the coalition government.