"I welcome it, should've been taken earlier": Pankaja Munde on her cousin Dhananjay's resignation amid row over sarpanch murder

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], March 4 (ANI): Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde on Tuesday welcomed the resignation of her cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde amid his alleged links to accused in Beed Sarpanch murder case.
"I know Dhananjay Munde has resigned, and I welcome it. This decision should have been taken earlier. If it had been taken earlier, maybe he could have avoided this situation," Pankaja Munde told the media.
Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted Munde's resignation and forwarded it to the Governor for further action.
Speaking on the resignation Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has tendered his resignation today. I have accepted the resignation and sent it to the Governor for further course of action."
According to sources, CM Fadnavis had asked Munde to step down from his post.
In his first reaction, Dhananjay Munde said on Tuesday that it has been his demand from the very first day that the accused in Beed Sarpanch murder case should get harshest punishment.
In a post on X, Munde also mentioned that he has submitted his resignation as state minister due to health concerns and medical advice as well.
"My firm demand from the very first day has been that the accused in the brutal murder of the late Santosh Deshmukh from Massajog in Beed district should receive the harshest possible punishment. Seeing the photos that came up yesterday has deeply pained my heart," he said.
"The investigation of this case has been completed, and the chargesheet has been filed in the court. Additionally, a judicial inquiry has also been proposed. Recalling my sense of discernment and considering that my health has not been well for the past few days, the doctors have advised me to undergo treatment for the next few days. Therefore, for medical reasons as well, I have submitted my resignation from my ministerial position in the cabinet to the Chief Minister," the NCP MLA added on X.
Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, Maharashtra, was murdered on December 9 after he allegedly opposed an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm installing windmills in the village. The alleged accused, who is said to be Munde's aide Walmik Karad, was sent to judicial custody in January. (ANI)