The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde, who is Maharashtra’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, is under a lot of pressure to resign because of allegations that he was involved in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district. In addition to exposing a larger network of political rivalry and suspected police collusion, this case has brought to light significant issues regarding lawlessness in Beed.
Case Background
Maharashtra has been rocked by the murder of Santosh Deshmukh on December 9, 2024. Three-time sarpanch Deshmukh was allegedly singled out by friends of Munde’s close aide Walmik Karad because he had opposed an attempt at extortion by a wind energy business. The case has been made more complicated by allegations that the police were involved with the accused because they failed to respond quickly to earlier threats against Deshmukh[1][7].
Charges Made Against Munde
Following statements made by social activist Anjali Damania, who said to have proof connecting Munde to the murder case, the accusations against him have intensified. Among Damania’s claims are that Munde and Karad had financial connections and that extortion-related meetings were held at Munde’s official home. These allegations have strengthened calls for Munde’s resignation from a number of political groups, who contend that his continued service in the cabinet compromises the integrity of the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) ongoing probe.[2] [4] [5].
Munde has openly declared his willingness to step down if Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar feel it is essential, notwithstanding these constraints. In a highly volatile setting, he has denied any misconduct and says he is being unfairly singled out [2][10].
Implications for Politics
Munde is not the only person affected by this case. There is a lot of pressure on the NCP leadership to respond forcefully to the demands of the opposition and public opinion. Opponents contend that if Munde is not removed, justice for Deshmukh’s family may be impeded and the Mahayuti government’s reputation—which is already being questioned for how it has handled law and order concerns in Beed—may suffer [4][5][8].
Opposition leaders and members of Ajit Pawar’s own party have criticised his decision to keep Munde in the cabinet, arguing that it might be interpreted as condoning corruption and criminal collusion. Maharashtra’s political scene is currently tense as several groups compete for power in the face of growing public indignation about lawlessness[5][8].
Responses from the Community
Additionally, the murder case has intensified already-existing caste-based tensions in Maharashtra. Munde is a member of the Vanjari group, which is categorised as Other Backwards Classes (OBC), whereas the Deshmukh family is a member of the Maratha community. In certain places, this division has led to demonstrations and acts of violence as local communities respond to what they believe to be caste-related injustices [7][8].
Even spiritual leaders who had previously endorsed Munde have recently changed their minds after visiting with Deshmukh’s family, suggesting that public opinion has changed and that Munde may become isolated within his own community[7][9].
Wrap-up
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Dhananjay Munde’s political career as well as the wider ramifications for Maharashtra government as he negotiates these rough seas. In addition to challenging the state leadership’s fortitude in the face of growing public pressure for accountability, the ongoing investigation into Santosh Deshmukh’s murder is expected to provide additional insight into the purported links between politics and crime in Beed.
Citations:
[1] https://www.theweek.in/theweek/statescan/2025/01/11/beed-sarpanch-santosh-deshmukh-murder-maharashtra-has-exposed-a-web-of-political-rivalries-caste-conflicts-and-police-complicity.html
[2] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ready-to-resign-if-maharashtra-minister-dhananjay-munde-on-resignation-calls-amid-beed-sarpanch-murder-case-7587953
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/beed-sarpanch-murder-dhananjay-munde-cabinet-meeting-9804969/
[4] https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/06/pressure-mounts-on-ajit-pawar-to-sack-minister-dhananjay-munde-over-beed-sarpanch-murder-case
[5] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/despite-pressure-ajit-pawar-decides-not-to-drop-munde-from-cabinet-101738092235486.html
[6] https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/who-is-dhananjay-munde-the-ncp-leader-under-fire-over-beed-village-sarpanchs-murder-19549682.htm
[7] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/seer-retracts-support-for-munde-after-meeting-slain-sapranch-s-kin-101738523075109.html
