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Caught in controversy, Dhananjay Munde’s absence from PM events raises eyebrow

Munde’s absence from Modi’s programmes on Wednesday comes amid this backdrop and demands for his ouster from the Cabinet.

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Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay MundeMaharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde. (PTI Photo)

Under fire over the alleged involvement of his close aide Walmik Karad, who has been arrested and slapped with charges under MCOCA following the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, NCP leader and Maharashtra’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde’s absence on Wednesday from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programmes and his address to Mahayuti MLAs in Mumbai has raised eyebrows in power corridors.

Munde is mired in a controversy after Karad’s arrest in an extortion case linked to Deshmukh’s murder. On Tuesday, charges under MCOCA were slapped against Karad and since then tension is prevailing in Parli, the hometown of Munde and Karad, in Beed district. The Opposition has demanded Munde’s resignation.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar disbanded the entire Beed district committee of the party. According to sources, several committee members are linked to Karad and the party has now decided to restructure the entire district committee.

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After MCOCA charges were slapped against Karad, Parli city has been witnessing unrest and protests. Munde’s absence from Modi’s programmes on Wednesday comes amid this backdrop and demands for his ouster from the Cabinet.

According to sources in the NCP, Munde on Tuesday night held a meeting with Ajit Pawar and sought permission to go to Parli on Wednesday to bring the situation under control. “The situation in Parli is tense and volatile. A senior leader like Munde is needed to control the situation and not let it go out of hand. That’s why Ajit Pawar allowed him to go,” a senior NCP leader said.

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