Allegations of rape against Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde are serious, NCP President Sharad Pawar said on Thursday, 14 January.
"I think the allegation against him is serious. Naturally, we will have to discuss the issue as a party. I will discuss the same in detail with my key colleagues and take them into confidence," Pawar said, according to PTI.
He added that the party will discuss the issue and decide what action is to be take as soon as possible.
A woman, who claims to be Munde’s sister-in-law, has accused him of rape. The minister, however, denied the allegations. He has said that this was being done as a plot to blackmail him by the woman and her sister, who Munde was in a relationship with and had two kids with. Leaders from the BJP have, meanwhile, been pressing for his resignation.
On 13 January, Munde met Pawar to clear the air. “Munde had met me and has told me his side. It is my responsibility to make my party leaders aware about what he told me and then formulate our party’s next course of action,” NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said in Mumbai.
After Pawar’s chat with Munde, Pawar also said that Munde seemed to have an idea that these allegations against him would surface and he had previously therefore, approached the high court in the same matter as well.
Pawar said that he would ensure no injustice was done.
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