The kidnapping and murder of Santosh Deshmukh (45), the sarpanch of Massajob village in Kej taluka of Beed district on December 9, has turned into a full-blown political controversy and is posing a major challenge to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in charge of the home portfolio.
What is significant is that on Saturday local BJP MLA Suresh Dhas joined opposition leaders in leading a massive procession in Beed demanding justice for the Deshmukh family and the resignation of minister Dhananjay Munde, who is close to one of the accused, Valmik Karad.
Deshmukh was allegedly murdered because he opposed the extortion efforts of Valmik Karad, who is reportedly close to Dananjay Munde, NCP leader and minister for food and civil supplies in the Fadnavis cabinet. Karad, who is absconding, allegedly tried to extort Rs 2 cr from a windmill company and this was opposed by Deshmukh. The windmill company Avaada Energy has already filed an FIR for alleged extortion by one Vishnu Chate at the instance of Karad. Vishnu Chate is also one of the accused in the murder case.
The Beed police have arrested four persons so far and are on the lookout for three others, including Karad. The controversy took a new twist on Saturday with social activist claiming that she received a call from an unknown person who said the bodies of the three absconding persons have been found in the Karnataka border. She has handed over the audio clip to the Beed police. She has also started a dharna in front the Beed collector’s office demanding the immediate arrest of Karad and the resignation of Munde, who recently had an hour-long meeting with Fadnavis.
The failure of the police to trace Karad even 19 days after the kidnap and murder is causing considerable embarrassment to Fadnavis. NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad and other opposition leaders have alleged that Karad is being shielded because of his proximity to Munde. The incident has taken a casteist turn since Deshmukh is a Maratha and some of the accused persons belong to the Vanjari community, which is in the OBC category. Maratha leader Jarande Patil and others, including Sharad Pawar, have already called on the Deshmukh family. Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has expelled Karad from his party in a bid to distance his organisation from the brutal murder. Deshmukh was kidnapped in a Scorpio and as many as 60 injuries were inflicted on him before being dumped on the road.
On Saturday, Dhas trained his gun on his own party leader and minister, Pankaja Munde. He asked her , “Why didn’t you visit Santosh Deshmukh’s family?”
The all- party march on Saturday to the Beed collector’s office was attended by thousands of people wearing black bands and holding black flags. The protest saw a large number of women, senior citizens, and youths. A single demand resonated throughout the crowd was “Arrest the accused, Valmiki Karad, and demand the resignation of Dhananjay Munde.”
The march began on Saturday morning with tributes paid at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue. Prominent leaders such as former MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Bhosale, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLAs Sandeep Kshirsagar, Prakash Solanke and Jitendra Awhad, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Bajrang Sonawane, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, and Jyoti Mete participated in the protest.
Former MP Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati said, “If Dhananjay Munde is made the Guardian Minister, we won’t tolerate it. If anyone tries to intimidate people, I will step in. What’s happening here? Do you want to turn Beed into Bihar? This is why we have to take to the streets.”
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Bajrang Sonawane openly challenged Dhananjay Munde. He said, “If you truly want to deliver justice to Beed and respect the soil you were born in, resign and face an inquiry. Why do you need ministerial position? Is it just to oppress us?”
Fadnavis has set up an SIT for investigation. However, pressure for the resignation of Minister Dhananjay Munde is increasing. There is a constant discussion about the deteriorating law and order situation in Beed district.
