BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, who recently met NCP leader and Food and Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde, has received strong backing from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The CM asserted that meetings between individuals should not be politicized, emphasizing that communication is a fundamental aspect of democracy.
Addressing the media in Jalgaon, Fadnavis stated that making politics over who meets whom is not right. He highlighted that Suresh Dhas has been vocal about the Massajog sarpanch murder case and has taken a clear stance. According to the CM, there is no reason to cut off communication with anyone while advocating for justice. He further noted that since Dhananjay Munde is a state minister, an MLA meeting him should not be seen as unusual. Dhas himself clarified that even if he met Munde, his main focus remains on ensuring that those responsible for Santosh Deshmukh’s murder are punished. Fadnavis also suggested that some individuals are uncomfortable with Dhas’s proactive approach, leading to their discontent.
Dhas has been consistently targeting Munde regarding the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, which led to the arrest of the accused. The investigation is ongoing under three different agencies. Opposition parties have accused Munde of having links with Valmik Karad, an accused in an extortion case, a claim that Dhas has repeatedly raised. Political tension escalated when reports of Dhas’s visit to Munde’s residence surfaced.
Clarifying his stance, Dhas downplayed the meeting, stating that he had visited Munde to inquire about his health following eye surgery. He explained that the meeting was arranged by Chandrashekhar Bawankule and coincided with his visit to Munde’s residence. He further alleged that details of the meeting were deliberately leaked to media channels as part of a conspiracy against him. Dhas vowed to discuss the matter with Fadnavis and expose those responsible at the appropriate time.