Who Is Dhananjay Munde, Whose Long-Awaited Resignation Could Impact Mahayuti and Maharashtra Politics?
Mumbai, 4th March 2025: Maharashtra’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Dhananjay Munde, resigned from the state cabinet today under intense pressure over his aide’s alleged involvement in a gruesome murder case. Munde’s exit marks a significant shift in the state’s political dynamics, given his status as a prominent Other Backward Class (OBC) leader within Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed accepting Munde’s resignation and forwarding it to Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan. The move follows revelations that Munde’s close associate, Walmik Karad—described as his “right hand”—was named the mastermind behind the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch from Beed district.
Munde, 49, is the nephew of late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde and has been a key figure in Maharashtra politics for over two decades. His political career began in the BJP, where he rose to lead its youth wing in the state, but he switched to the NCP in 2012 after a falling-out with his uncle.
As one of the few OBC leaders in the NCP, Munde’s resignation could impact the party’s outreach to this crucial voter base. His close association with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was instrumental in his rapid ascent within the party.
The murder case that triggered Munde’s downfall involves the killing of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village, on December 9 last year. Deshmukh was allegedly abducted, tortured, and murdered for opposing an extortion attempt targeting an energy company in the district.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) filed a 1,200-page chargesheet on February 27, detailing the murder and related cases. Police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused, with seven arrests made so far.
Munde’s resignation followed a late-night meeting between Fadnavis, NCP chief Ajit Pawar, and other senior party leaders. The opposition had been demanding his removal, particularly after gory details and photos of the murder surfaced.
As Maharashtra grapples with this political upheaval, attention now turns to how Munde’s departure will affect the ruling coalition’s stability and the NCP’s standing among OBC voters.
Dhananjay Munde’s Political Journey: Key Milestones
1. Early career: Born on 15th July 1975, Munde entered politics under the mentorship of his uncle, BJP leader Gopinath Munde.
2. BJP years: Rose through BJP ranks, becoming state president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in 2007.
3. Switch to NCP: Left BJP in 2012 and joined the NCP after a fallout with his uncle.
4. Electoral success: Lost to his cousin Pankaja Munde in the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections but won the Parli seat in 2019 and 2024.
5. Leadership roles: Served as Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council from 2014.
6. Ministerial positions: Held portfolios in three successive governments—MVA, Mahayuti, and Mahayuti 2.0.
7. NCP split: Sided with Ajit Pawar during the 2023 NCP split.
8. Controversies: Faced allegations ranging from rape accusations (later withdrawn) to involvement in local power struggles.
Throughout his career, Munde was known for his oratory skills and close ties with Ajit Pawar, playing a key role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape.
