“The Pessimist Sees Difficulty In Every Opportunity. The Optimist Sees Opportunity In Every Difficulty.”

Following the murder, public outrage grew as graphic images of the incident became viral. As the focus turned against senior minister Dhananjay Munde’s entourage, the opposition was in an attacking mood while the ruling side was forced to remain defensive. The matter became darker since several legislators from the ruling MahaYuti alliance joined the chorus started by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. In the political free for all, several pertinent questions have been overlooked. This incident is now seen through a caste prism, being described as a flash point between the Maratha community and the OBSs.

It is a known fact that the reign of terror, not only in Beed but in many districts of Maharashtra, has been a chronic problem. Business and industrialist investors are very well conversant with the compromises they have to accept before their projects can start functioning and allowed to run. Perhaps the picture in Beed is more serious but by no stretch the district is an isolated experience. Over the past few years, the temerity of the elements openly threatening such enterprises has enhanced. Even the police administration appears helpless.

But all is not lost. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has cracked the whip and the suspects are being rounded up. The alleged kingpin, Walmik Karad, is already awarded police custody and the investigation will tumble out more skeletons eventually from the cupboard. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed and many damaging revelations are expected in the near future.

The situation has resulted in intense political give and take, with each side trying to catch the other on the wrong foot. During such recriminations, charges of corruption, extortion, abductions and finally killings in Beed district are hurled freely. In this situation, politicians, irrespective of their party affiliations, will have to be ruthlessly investigated. Munde has called on Fadnavis and has demanded utmost punishment for the guilty. But this demand has not stopped the cry of protest against him. For instance, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas has accused that Munde’s close supporter Walmik Karad is the mastermind of this lawlessness for a long time. Dhas also has alleged that Karad and his boss are linked to a money laundering operation involving crores of rupees. However, Dhas has desisted from taking Munde’s name.

Now that Fadnavis has ordered the review of gun licences in Beed district, the police force has started checking the individuals who are holding pistols and revolvers. While Beed district collector has issued over 1200 gun permits, the adjacent district Parbhani district has only 32 such licenses. In view of this, it is felt that an investigation is needed in all the districts across the state.

Till now, the political allegations raised by the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar were directed against the Maha Yuti. But they will need to explain regarding their inclusion of Dhananjay Munde as an important member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Prior to that, Munde was with the NCP since 2012 when he walked out of the BJP. Between 2012 and 2024, he remained a prominent MVA member and minister, including the past two and a half years. He has again taken oath as a minister.

Beed district is not new to such atmosphere. Local people describe how gangsters and those blessed by politicians move around freely even in court premises. Many video grabs of youths wielding and fire pistols have gone viral. Social worker Anjali Damania has made a number of sensational revelations, all pointing at the ruling dispensation in the district which has witnessed 38 murders in 2024.

Though operating with a thumping majority, Fadnavis will have to steer the state through this delicate situation. Similarly, both DCMs, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, will also have to come forward for supporting the government. Especially, Ajit Pawar will have to take a drastic stand concerning Munde, who had walked out of the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and joined the faction led by Ajit Pawar in 2022.

Munde family, Dhananjay and Pankaja, are at the helm of affairs in Beed. The BJP’s clout in the district was incepted by popular leader Gopinth Munde but in later years, Dhananjya separated from him and joined Pawar’s NCP. Ever since, the power tussle within the family went on intensifying. However, recently, they patched up. Now, both are cabinet ministers in Maharashtra.

Despite the controversy in Beed, Munde has refused so far to resign. He maintains that there is no need for his resignation since the government has set up the SIT and the court, too, is monitoring the investigations. Hence, there is no question of his pressurising the police.

This has supplied a stick to the opposition in general and MVA in particular, reiterating their demand for Munde’s quitting. There are serious crimes in Beed district but till the murder of Deshmukh, there wasn’t a word said or written against Munde till the last week of December. With the name of the alleged mastermind Walmik Karad surfacing, suddenly there was a storm. Those owing an explanation include the politicians, the bureaucracy and the media, too, to regain their credibility.