In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Dhananjay Munde held a crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. The MLA from the Beed district presented a formal memorandum urging the central government to include the historic temple town of Parli, located within his constituency, in its flagship Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme.
A Push for Pilgrimage Development
Following the pre-scheduled appointment, Munde took to social media to share a photograph from the meeting. He elaborated on the purpose of his visit, emphasizing the transformative potential of the PRASHAD initiative for his region. The MLA argued that the development and rejuvenation of the Jyotirlinga site in Parli would act as a catalyst for comprehensive progress.
"If the development and rejuvenation of the Jyotirlinga site of Parli takes place through the PRASHAD scheme, it will bring about a major and positive change in the development of Parli city as well as the entire Beed district," Munde stated in his online post. He expressed confidence that central support would boost tourism, create local employment, and enhance infrastructure in the area.
Broader Agenda and Political Context
Beyond the PRASHAD scheme, the meeting's agenda also covered constituency-specific industrial matters. Munde confirmed that he discussed issues related to a factory in his constituency with Amit Shah, who additionally oversees the Cooperation Department portfolio.
This Delhi tour unfolds against a backdrop of political instability within the Maharashtra state cabinet. The visit coincides with the precarious position of State Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate, who faces potential disqualification following a two-year jail sentence conviction. Munde himself had resigned from the cabinet earlier, after his close aide, Walmik Karad, was named as the prime accused in the December 2024 murder case of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Uncertain Future and Public Sentiment
Political analysts suggest that a return to the cabinet for Munde appears unlikely in the current climate. Public anger surrounding the sarpanch murder case remains potent, making his reinstatement a sensitive issue. The MLA maintained silence, avoiding interactions with reporters throughout his Delhi visit until late evening.
Adding to the controversy, Dhananjay Deshmukh, the brother of the slain sarpanch, voiced strong opposition to any potential ministerial return for Munde. He warned that reinstatement could undermine the ongoing murder investigation and lead to further lawlessness.
"If he returns to the cabinet, 100 new Walmik Karads will be created... there will be 1,000 criminal gangs and there will be hundreds of more murders," Deshmukh told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, highlighting the deep-seated tensions and the high stakes involved in the state's political maneuvering.
