The surrender of Walmik Kharad, a close aide of NCP Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde, in the Beed murder case has intensified political tensions in Maharashtra. The Opposition is now ramping up calls for Munde’s resignation while raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the investigation.

The case, now under investigation by the Maharashtra CID and a Special Investigation Team, has become a critical test for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis since the Mahayuti government returned to power in November 2024. The involvement of an ally in the case has placed additional scrutiny on Fadnavis and the BJP.

To date, six individuals have been arrested in connection with the December 9 murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The Opposition has criticized the delayed surrender of the main accused Walmik Kharad, which took 20 days, and questioned why one of the accused remains absconding.

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas has been vocal in demanding Munde’s resignation and was part of the all-party delegation that met Governor C P Radhakrishnan to press for it. Further complicating Munde’s situation, his sister-in-law Sarangi Mahajan has accused him and his associates of coercing her into selling land in Parli for Rs 21 lakh, far below its actual value of Rs 3.5 crore. Mahajan also alleged that Kharad, who is reportedly close to Munde’s family, was involved in the deals.

Despite the mounting pressure, Munde attended a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and reiterated that he would not resign. While he has not denied his association with Kharad, Munde has maintained that he was not involved in the crime.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, assured that anyone involved in the crime would be held accountable. “The ongoing investigation will get to the roots of the case, and no one will be spared,” he said. BJP sources confirmed that the party leadership is monitoring the situation closely.

The issue was reportedly raised in a meeting between Ajit Pawar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. A BJP source indicated that if there is solid evidence linking Munde to the crime, he will be forced to step down. However, a senior BJP leader from Maharashtra suggested that without conclusive evidence, the Mahayuti alliance may hesitate to act, preferring to wait for the completion of the investigation.

The murder case is also fueling existing tensions between Maratha and OBC communities in the state. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil was quick to demand Munde’s resignation, while prominent OBC leader Laxman Hake defended him. Jarange Patil has vowed to continue protests until justice is served to the sarpanch’s family, warning of intensified agitation if there is any attempt to cover up the crime.

Hake, however, has cautioned that while he condemns the crime, any attempt to target Munde for political or caste-related reasons would not be tolerated. The case, thus, continues to stir political and social divisions in Maharashtra.