“The BJP instructed Abu Azmi to issue a statement, as they were cornered over Dhananjay Munde in the Legislative Assembly” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday (March 5, 2025) described the decision to administer the oath of office to Nationalist Congress Party MLA Dhananjay Munde as the “biggest mistake”, following Mr. Munde’s resignation amid allegations of his aide’s involvement in the Beed Sarpanch murder case.

Addressing the media, Mr. Raut claimed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally pressured Mr. Munde into stepping down. “He [Dhananjay] is in good health. The Chief Minister himself called him and said that if he did not resign, he would have to be dismissed. Administering the oath of office to Dhananjay was the biggest mistake,” Mr. Raut said.

Mr. Munde, who served as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, tendered his resignation on Tuesday (March 4, 2025). It was promptly accepted by CM Fadnavis and forwarded to Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan for further action. The Governor later confirmed the acceptance of Mr. Munde’s resignation.

The resignation follows the judicial custody of Mr. Munde’s close aide, Walmik Karad, in January this year in connection with a ₹2 crore extortion case allegedly linked to the murder of Beed’s sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh.

In a separate development, the Sena (UBT) leader criticised Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi’s controversial remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, alleging that the comments were orchestrated to divert attention. “In the Legislative Assembly, they were cornered over Mr. Munde. So, the BJP instructed Abu Azmi to issue a statement, triggering a drama. Abu Azmi and Owaisi frequently indulge in such tactics,” he said.