BJP MLA fights for justice for sarpanch's kin

BEED SARPANCH MURDER

- S Balakrishnan

The BJP MLA from Ashti in Beed district, Suresh Dhas, 54, is carrying a determined battle to ensure justice for the family of Massjog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh (45) who was brutally murdered on December 9.

The murder was apparently a sequel to Deshmukh's opposition to a large-scale extortion racket.

What is interesting is that Dhas is championing the struggle despite the fact that he is a member of the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti and the person in charge of the home portfolio is no less than Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister and the face of BJP.

Dhas, a five-time legislator, has gone to the extent of joining protests organised by opposition parties in Beed demanding the resignation of Dhananjay Munde, minister for food and civil supplies and a leader of NCP (Ajit Pawar), who is reportedly close to one of the main suspects.

Dhas' actions have certainly caused embarrassment to the BJP.