Despite rape charges Munde to continue as minister

January 15, 2021 10:03

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has allowed Munde to continue

In a relief for Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde, who is facing rape allegation by a woman, his party NCP has decided to let him continue in the cabinet post for now, sources said on Friday.

According to the sources, the decision was taken considering the complaints of harassment made against the woman by some leaders from the opposition BJP and the MNS.

Top NCP leaders, including party president Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil and senior leader Praful Patel, met late Thursday night to discuss the issue. The meeting was held at Patel's residence.

Munde (45), the social justice minister in the Shiv Sena-led MVA government, has refuted the rape charges and dubbed them as blackmail attempt.

BJP leader Krishna Hegde on Thursday claimed that the Mumbai-based woman had been harassing him for several years. An MNS politician, too, has made similar allegations against her. Munde had levelled blackmailing charges against the woman. Now other party politicians, too, have levelled such charges against the woman concerned. The allegation by BJP and MNS leaders somewhere seems to strengthen Mundes claims. A police probe is going on in a case relating to Munde.

"We will need to wait for its conclusion. So, it was decided that Munde will continue in the post for now, the sources said. On Thursday, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar said that the allegation against Munde was serious and added the party will discuss the issue and decide on it "as soon as possible. Pawar told reporters that Munde met him on Wednesday and explained his side of the episode. -- PTI

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