{{short description|Indian politician}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Dhananjay Munde | native_name = | image = Dhananjay_Munde_1.png | caption = | office = Cabinet Minister<br>Government of Maharashtra | subterm = '''Cabinet''' | suboffice = Third Fadnavis ministry | minister = Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection | term_start = 15 December 2024 | term_end = 4 March 2025 | 1blankname = Chief Minister | 1namedata = Devendra Fadnavis | 2blankname = Deputy CM | 2namedata = *Eknath Shinde *Ajit Pawar | 3blankname = Guardian Minister | 3namedata = NA | governor = C. P. Radhakrishnan | predecessor = Chhagan Bhujbal | successor = Ajit Pawar | office1 = Cabinet Minister<br>Government of Maharashtra | subterm1 = '''Cabinet''' | suboffice1 = Eknath Shinde ministry | minister1 = Agriculture | term_start1 = 2 July 2023 | term_end1 = 26 November 2024 | 1blankname1 = Chief Minister | 1namedata1 = Eknath Shinde | 2blankname1 = Deputy CM | 2namedata1 = *Devendra Fadnavis ''(First)'' *Ajit Pawar ''(Second)'' | 3blankname1 = Guardian Minister | 3namedata1 = Beed District (04 October 2023- 26 November 2024) | governor1 = *Ramesh Bais *C. P. Radhakrishnan | predecessor1 = Abdul Sattar Abdul Nabi | successor1 = Manikrao Kokate | office2 = Cabinet Minister<br>Government of Maharashtra | minister2 = * Social Justice *Special Assistance | term_start2 = 30 December 2019 | term_end2 = 29 June 2022 | 1blankname2 = Chief Minister | 1namedata2 = Uddhav Thackeray | 2blankname2 = Deputy CM | 2namedata2 = Ajit Pawar | governor2 = Bhagat Singh Koshyari | predecessor2 = Suresh Khade | successor2 = Eknath Shinde | office3 = Guardian Minister of Beed District | constituency3 = Parli | term_start3 = 9 January 2020 | term_end3 = 29 June 2022 | 1blankname3 = Chief Minister | 1namedata3 = Uddhav Thackeray | governor3 = Bhagat Singh Koshyari | predecessor3 = Pankaja Munde | office4 = Leader of Opposition the Maharashtra Legislative Council | term_start4 = 22 December 2014 | term_end4 = 24 October 2019 | governor4 = *C. Vidyasagar Rao *Bhagat Singh Koshyari | 1blankname4 = Chief Minister | 1namedata4 = Devendra Fadnavis | predecessor4 = Vinod Tawde | successor4 = Pravin Darekar | constituency4 = Elected by MLAs | office5 = Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly | term_start5 = 21 October 2019 | term_end5 = | predecessor5 = Pankaja Munde | successor5 = | constituency5 = Parli | assembly3 = Maharashtra Legislative | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|07|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Parli, | party = Nationalist Congress Party | other_party = Bharatiya Janata Party | alma_mater = | occupation = Politician | spouse = Karuna Munde, Rajshri Munde | relations = Gopinath Munde {{small|(Uncle)}} | website = {{URL|https://www.dhananjaymunde.org}} | footnotes = }} '''Dhananjay Panditrao Munde''' aka "Dhanu Bhau" (15 July 1975)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dhananjay Panditrao Munde|url=http://www.indialeader.com/ViewLeader/30440/Dhananjay-Panditrao-Munde|website=indialeader.com}}</ref> is an Indian politician. He is currently a member of the Nationalist Congress Party. He was considered a close aide of the Maharashtra Deputy CM Late Ajit Pawar. Before Dhananjay Munde was in Bharatiya Janata Party as President Youth Wing (BJYM) and He was a cabinet minister in Devendra Fadnavis government before 2025.<ref>{{Cite book |last=रापतवार |first=सुदर्शन |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=mZAuEQAAQBAJ |title=सहज सुचलं म्हणून..! |date=2024-11-15 |publisher=Madhyam Publication's |isbn=978-81-902787-8-2 |language=mr}}</ref><ref name="Maharashtra Elections 2024: 14 candidates win by over 1 lakh votes, all from Mahayuti">{{cite news |last1=CNBCTV18 |date=23 November 2024 |title=Maharashtra Elections 2024: 14 candidates win by over 1 lakh votes, all from Mahayuti |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-elections-2024-14-candidates-win-1-lakh-vote-margin-mahayuti-19513783.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204100945/https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-elections-2024-14-candidates-win-1-lakh-vote-margin-mahayuti-19513783.htm |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=4 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
== Early life == Dhananjay Munde was born on 15 July 1975 in Nathra, Parli Vaijnath, Beed in a Vanjari family to parents Panditrao (Anna) Munde and Rukmini Munde. Munde's family consists of his wife Rajashri Munde and daughter Adishri Munde.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cousins collide|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/statescan/2019/10/18/cousins-collide.html|access-date=2021-01-16|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>
He is related to Central Cabinet Minister and former dy.CM of Maharashtra 'Gopinath Rao Munde' whose daughters Pankaja Munde, Pritam Munde and their younger sister Yashashari are his first cousins.
==Political career== Munde won the 2019, 2024 assembly elections from Parli constituency.<ref name="Maharashtra election results: These candidates have won by biggest margins so far">{{cite news |last1=Hindustantimes |date=23 November 2024 |title=Maharashtra election results: These candidates have won by biggest margins so far |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-election-results-these-candidates-have-won-by-biggest-margins-so-far-101732376089333.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124125058/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-election-results-these-candidates-have-won-by-biggest-margins-so-far-101732376089333.html |archive-date=24 November 2024 |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref> He is the Guardian Minister of Beed District and the Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance of the State of Maharashtra.<ref>{{Cite web|last=author/lokmat-news-network|date=2020-10-30|title=बीड जिल्ह्यातील चार तालुक्यांमध्ये नुकसानीचे होणार फेर पंचनामे; पालकमंत्री मुंडे यांचे आदेश|url=https://www.lokmat.com/beed/four-talukas-beed-district-will-be-affected-re-panchnama-order-guardian-minister-dhananjay-munde-a320/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Lokmat|language=mr-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-09|title=समाजकार्य महाविद्यालयांच्या वेतनासाठी १०३ कोटींचे अनुदान|url=https://www.loksatta.com/nagpur-news/103-crore-grant-for-college-salaries-mppg-94-2375885/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Loksatta|language=mr-IN}}</ref> On 24 December 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pankaja Munde trailing behind NCP's Dhananjay Munde by 30,701 votes from Parli constituency|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/maharashtra-exit-poll-2019-pankaja-munde-may-exercise-power-for-third-consecutive-term/articleshow/71715063.cms|access-date=2020-10-01|website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pankaja Munde loses Maharashtra's Parli seat to cousin Dhananjay Munde|url=https://inshorts.com/en/news/pankaja-munde-loses-maharashtras-parli-seat-to-cousin-dhananjay-munde-1571911212988|access-date=2020-10-01|website=Inshorts - Stay Informed|language=en}}</ref> as the Minister for Social Justice and Special Assistance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharashtra Government, Council of Ministers|url=https://www.sarkaritel.com/states/council_of_ministers.php?state=MH|access-date=2020-10-01|website=Sarkaritel.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Earlier, he had held the role of opposition leader in the Legislative Council of Maharashtra.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Munde Dhananjay Panditrao - Affidavit Information of Candidate|url=https://myneta.info/maharashtramlc/candidate.php?candidate_id=179|access-date=2020-10-01|website=myneta.info}}</ref>
Munde is a candidate who has set history by winning Parli Legislative Assembly elections by a landslide. In 2024 he won the election with around 76% votes from his assembly; with more than 1,40,000 votes than the trailing candidate Rajesaheb Deshmukh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parli Election Commission Results 2024 |url=https://results.eci.gov.in/ResultAcGenNov2024/ConstituencywiseS13233.htm}}</ref>
== Personal life == Dhananjay Munde is married to Rajashri Munde.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhadani|first=Priyanka|date=2019-10-19|title=Cousins collide|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/statescan/2019/10/18/cousins-collide.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020115947/https://www.theweek.in/theweek/statescan/2019/10/18/cousins-collide.html |archive-date=20 October 2019 |access-date=|website=The Week}}</ref>
===Controversy=== In January 2021, singer Renu Sharma rape allegations to blackmail Munde,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vidya |date=2022-05-30 |title=Renu Sharma, 'blackmailer' of Maha minister Dhananjay Munde, seeks bail from Mumbai court |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/renu-sharma-blackmailer-maharashtra-minister-dhananjay-munde-bail-mumbai-court-1956225-2022-05-30 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> which were subsequently withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/singer-alleges-rape-maha-minister-dhananjay-munde-refutes-calls-it-blackmail-1758425-2021-01-12|title=Singer alleges rape, Maha Minister Dhananjay Munde refutes, calls it blackmail|first=Kamlesh Damodar|last=Sutar|date=January 12, 2021|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jog |first1=Sanjay |title=Singer Renu Sharma backs off on rape charges against Maha minister Dhananjay Munde |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/singer-renu-sharma-backs-off-on-rape-charges-against-maha-minister-dhananjay-munde |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Free Press Journal |date=15 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In a press release, Munde claimed that he has been in a relationship with Renu Sharma's sister, Karuna Sharma and even had two children out of that relationship which was known to his wife and family.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dhananjay Munde denies rape charge, says he is in relationship with complainant's sister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/dhananjay-munde-denies-rape-charge-says-he-is-in-relationship-with-complainants-sister/article33565424.ece |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=13 January 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sharad Pawar says stand vindicated as rape complaint against Dhananjay Munde withdrawn |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/23/pawar-says-stand-vindicated-as-rape-complaint-against-munde-withdrawn-2253969.html |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=23 January 2021}}</ref>
In early 2025, Dhananjay Munde faced significant political scrutiny following the arrest of his close associate, Walmik Anna Karad (Beed Mafia Crime Boss),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who is Walmik Karad? Dhananjay Munde's aide mastermind of Beed sarpanch murder case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/who-is-walmik-karad-dhananjay-mundes-aide-linked-to-beed-sarpanch-murder-case-3336543 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> in connection with the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch from Beed district. Deshmukh was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed in December 2024 for opposing an extortion attempt. The escalating controversy led to widespread demands for Munde's resignation from his ministerial position. On March 4, 2025, Munde resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet, stepping down as the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-minister-dhananjay-munde-resigns-after-close-aide-arrested-over-murder-of-sarpanch-6078170 |title=Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde Resigns After Close Aide Arrested Over Murder Of Sarpanch |publisher=NDTV.com |date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=June 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/who-is-dhananjay-munde-a-look-at-ncp-leader-amid-growing-controversy/articleshow/118700465.cms |title=Who is Dhananjay Munde? A look at NCP leader amid growing controversy | publisher=The Times of India |date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=June 8, 2025}}</ref>
Anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania demanded immediate resignation of Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on in Beed district, claiming that Munde holds “a position of financial gain”. Mahagenco is a company wholly owned by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB). “Munde was granted pre-arrest bail last Friday after we argued that he was not absconding and custodial interrogation was not necessary in the case,” his lawyer Aniket Nikam said.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-16 |title=NCP leader gets pre-arrest bail in loan scam case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ncp-leader-gets-pre-arrest-bail-in-loan-scam-case-2979227/ |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
==See also==
* Sundarrao Solanke * Gopinath Munde * Pankaja Munde * Pritam Munde
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Munde, Dhananjay}} Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2019–2024 Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2024–2029 Category:Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Category:Living people Category:1975 births Category:People from Beed district Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Maharashtra Category:Nationalist Congress Party politicians from Maharashtra Category:Leaders of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Category:Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University alumni Category:Political controversies in India