Away from Cabinet meeting and at centre of row, Dhananjay Munde says: ‘Diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy… can’t speak’

“Currently, I cannot speak properly for even two minutes, which has prevented me from attending cabinet meetings and public events,” Munde said in a social media post. Munde, who underwent an eye surgery under Dr TP Lahane about 15 days ago, told Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar that he was committed to overcoming his illness and returning to public service as soon as possible. Munde has been advised to avoid bright lights, dust and sun exposure.

Munde has been under pressure to resign from the Maharashtra Cabinet over graft charges and the arrest of his close aide in connection with the killing of a sarpanch in Beed district.

Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has been seeking the ouster of Munde and the Mahayuti alliance has been firefighting the aftermath of Massejog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh’s killing for two months after Munde’s close aide Walmik Karad was arrested in connection with the case.

Munde is also at the centre of allegations from activist Anjali Damania in a Rs 88 crore “scam” in the agriculture department. According to Damania’s allegation, the agriculture department had bought fertilisers and equipment for distribution to farmers at an inflated rate while Munde helmed the Ministry in the previous Mahayuti coalition government.