Ambedkar for NCP, opposes demand for Munde’s resignation

Pune: Chief of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) Prakash Ambedkar has come out in support of state cabinet minister Dhananjay Munde (NCP) in the murder case of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, saying it is incorrect to press for his resignation unless some evidence is produced.
He said, "Our party will be the first to demand Munde's resignation if proof of his involvement in any of the crimes being probed by the investigating agencies surfaces. At present, there is no such thing."
Munde's close associate Walmik Karad was arrested in connection with Deshmukh's murder and for trying to extort money from an energy firm involved in a windmill project in Beed district. After Karad's arrest, social activists, opposition members and some Mahayuti politicians have been demanding Munde's resignation.
Despite the clamour, NCP chief Ajit Pawar has stood strong that Munde would not be removed from the cabinet unless some evidence emerges against him. Ambedkar supported Ajit Pawar's stand and said, "It is true that Munde's close associate has been arrested in the case. It is very unfortunate. However, mere association with the arrested person cannot form the base to accuse him. I support Pawar."
The VBA chief also criticised BJP MLA Suresh Dhas over his statement requesting Somnath Suryawanshi's family to pardon the police personnel facing an inquiry for his judicial death in Parbhani district. "The statement has exposed Dhas's double standards. He demands death penalty when the victim is a Maratha. However, he requests the family to pardon the accused when the slain is a non-Maratha. His statement is creating a rift between communities in the state," Ambedkar added.