Munde says will resign if asked by CM Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar

On Tuesday, Munde left the Cabinet meeting midway, and refused to comment on the rising demands of his ouster in connection with the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed. Munde’s close aide Walmik Karad has been arrested in a case linked to the murder of Deshmukh. He has been booked under anti-organised crime law MCOCA.

“I will not comment about the demands of my resignation. She (Anjali Damania) has met Ajit Pawar with papers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar can speak on this,” he had then said.

The Maharashtra minister was referring to activist Anjali Damania who met Ajit Pawar Monday night, and reportedly presented him with evidence against Munde. Damania has demanded Munde’s resignation from the state cabinet and may approach the court over the issue.

“My morality is my honesty towards my people and I speak with complete sincerity. I do not consider myself morally guilty. If I am guilty, my senior leaders will tell me so,” he said.

Opposition NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday reiterated the demand that Munde should resign on moral grounds.

“Had I been in that position, I would have tendered my resignation right away taking the moral responsibility. My responsibility is towards the growth of the party and not otherwise,” Sule said, without naming Munde.

Amid demands of Munde’s resignation, Beed district guardian minister and deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be visiting Beed on Thursday. This will be his first visit after being given responsibility as Beed’s guardian minister. On the eve of his visit, ally BJP MLA Suresh Dhas – who has been aggressively raising the issue of the murder of Santosh Deshmukh- levelled a new set of graft allegations in Parli and Ambejogai cities. Dhas has alleged funds worth Rs 76 crore in road construction were taken without construction of a single road. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be visiting Beed on February 5.