Walmik Karad: The backroom operator who triggered Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde’s resignation
A close aide to Dhananjay Munde, Walmik Karad’s alleged involvement in the Beed sarpanch murder case has led to the downfall of the influential NCP leader.
6 min read
Known affectionately as "Anna" or "Walmik Anna" in the Beed district, Karad's name has long been synonymous with Munde's political operations, especially in Parli Vaijanath, Munde's constituency. (Source: Facebook)Walmik Karad, the man whose behind-the-scenes influence has played a pivotal role in Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde’s political and business affairs, is now at the centre of the controversy that led to the latter’s resignation from the Maharashtra Cabinet. Karad, once seen as Munde’s trusted confidant, has now become the focal point of a major scandal that has rocked Maharashtra’s political landscape. His alleged involvement in the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh has triggered a series of events that ultimately cost Munde his ministerial position.
The man behind Dhananjay Munde’s political power
Known affectionately as “Anna” or “Walmik Anna” in the Beed district, Karad’s name has long been synonymous with Munde’s political operations, especially in Parli Vaijanath, Munde’s constituency. Karad’s influence within Beed has been significant, and his word often carried the weight of Munde’s authority. Although he never held an official position within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Karad was the de facto operator of Munde’s political activities in the region, handling his public and private affairs.
Karad’s close association with Munde dates back over three decades. His role in the Munde family’s political operations was critical in consolidating their power in Beed. Initially starting as a small-time worker in Gopinath Munde’s office, Karad’s loyalty and organisational skills led to his rise within the family’s inner circle.
Walmik Karad’s early life
Born into a farming family in Pangri village, Parli tehsil, Karad’s early life was rooted in rural simplicity. After completing his basic education, he moved to Parli city in Beed for further studies, which marked the beginning of his political journey.
Karad’s connection to the Munde family began through a mutual acquaintance, which led him to secure a small job at the house of Gopinath Munde, the late BJP leader and uncle of Dhananjay Munde, when Gopinath was the MLA of Parli. Over time, his proximity to the Munde family grew stronger, allowing him to play an influential role in the region’s politics.
In the 1980s, Karad gained prominence when he formed a Ganesh Mandal and began organising political events for Gopinath Munde. But his rise to political notoriety came in the early 1990s, following a dramatic event that would change his life. During an election for the Board of Directors of a local college, Karad was injured by a bullet in a scuffle between Gopinath Munde’s supporters and their rivals. The incident thrust Karad into the public eye. During his recovery, he deepened his ties with the Munde family, especially with Gopinath’s brother, Pandit Anna Munde, and his nephew, Dhananjay Munde.
Karad’s organisational skills soon made him a key player in the political landscape of Beed. He was instrumental in starting the first Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) shakha in Parli. He was also involved in planning the Atal Sandesh Yatra in Beed, a political campaign led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These early ventures showcased his ability to mobilise and organise political events, further solidifying his standing in local politics.
In 2001, Karad was given a ticket to contest the Parli Municipal Council elections by Pandit Anna Munde, despite opposition from Gopinath Munde. His success in the polls led to Karad becoming a corporator, later serving as the deputy mayor and, briefly, the acting mayor of Parli. He later returned to the council as a corporator, and he remains an influential figure in organising political events in Beed.
Karad’s involvement in business also parallels his political activities. He is a co-director in two companies—Jagmitra Sugar Mills Limited and Venkateshwara Industrial Services Private Limited—registered in Munde’s wife’s name, Rajashree. Karad and Munde also own around 88 acres of land in Parli, which they purchased to set up a sugar mill.
However, Karad’s career is also marked by controversy. He faces a total of 15 pending criminal cases in Beed, including allegations of extortion and even a shooting incident after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he was accused of planning an attack on one Mahadev Gitte.
The Beed murder case and Karad’s role
The murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was allegedly tied to a failed extortion attempt. On December 6, Deshmukh reportedly confronted a group of people attempting to extort money from staff at a windmill energy project. Deshmukh intervened to stop the altercation, which led to a brief clash. Three days later, Deshmukh was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed.
Karad’s name surfaced in connection with the case, and he is now a prime suspect. The Maharashtra CID has pressed charges of murder and extortion against him, while his bank accounts have been frozen, and property worth crores is expected to be seized.
The police investigation into Deshmukh’s murder indicates that Karad may have had a role in the criminal activities surrounding it. Karad allegedly had contact with other key suspects in the case, including Vishnu Chate and Sudarshan Ghule, both of whom have been arrested in connection with the murder.
The police have linked his name to the crime through call records, which suggest that he was in contact with the accused on the day of the murder. The charges point to a possible extortion racket, with Deshmukh allegedly murdered for obstructing the criminals’ demands for money.
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