Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday reprimanded his own party workers and leaders, urging them to behave responsibly in public life instead of offering garlands and religious idols as gestures of support.
Pawar made the remarks while chairing his first District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) meeting in Beed after taking charge as the district’s guardian minister.
His appointment comes amid political turmoil following the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, which has led to demands for the resignation of Minister Dhananjay Munde.
AJIT PAWAR TAKES CHARGE AMID CONTROVERSY
Opposition parties and some leaders from the ruling alliance objected to Munde’s appointment as Beed’s guardian minister due to allegations surrounding the case. In response, Pawar stepped in and assumed the responsibility himself.
The DPDC meeting was attended by several key political figures, including Minister Dhananjay Munde, BJP MLA Pankaja Munde—who has been critical of Dhananjay Munde—along with BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, NCP MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar, BJP MLA Namita Mundada, MP Bajrangappa Sonavane, and Rajya Sabha member Rajan Patil.
AJIT PAWAR WARNS ACTION AGAINST LAWLESSNESS
Speaking to the media before the meeting, Pawar warned that he would not tolerate extortion and disorder in Beed. He directed the police to take strict action, including booking offenders under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).
“I have seen people openly brandishing weapons and showing off their strength. This will no longer be allowed. I have asked the Superintendent of Police to cancel the gun licenses of such people,” Pawar said.
Before the meeting, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas accused Dhananjay Munde’s associates of corruption during his tenure as Beed’s guardian minister. Dhas claimed that fake bills worth Rs 78 crore had been created, and that Munde’s close aides had taken money without completing infrastructure projects. Sources say Dhas has submitted proof of these allegations to Pawar.
MASSAJOG MURDER CASE CONTROVERSY
The controversy stems from the December 6, 2024, incident where associates of Walmik Karad — a close aide of Munde — allegedly attempted to extort Rs 2 crore from the Avada Windmills office in Massajog. When security personnel denied them entry, an argument broke out, and one of the security guards, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community, was beaten.
After the altercation, sarpanch Deshmukh and other villagers arrived at the scene, leading to a heated exchange. A video of the incident went viral, angering Sudarshan Ghule, one of the accused.
On December 9, Ghule and six others allegedly abducted Deshmukh near the Kej toll plaza. They brutally beat him and eventually killed him.
Deshmukh’s murder has sparked outrage across Maharashtra. Both ruling and opposition parties are demanding the prosecution of Karad under Section 103 (murder) of the BNS, alleging his involvement in the crime.
With the case drawing widespread attention, Pawar has vowed to restore law and order in Beed and ensure that justice is served.