Goa, March 4 -- Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has tendered his resignation following the arrest of one of his close associates in relation to the shocking murder of a sarpanch in Beed district that occurred in December. Munde, who was responsible for the portfolios of food and civil supplies, resigned at the direction of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after his aide, Walmik Karad, was implicated in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village.

Fadnavis confirmed that he had accepted Munde's resignation and had submitted it to Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Sources indicate that Fadnavis's decision followed a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, during which they discussed the political implications of a...