MP Sonawane alleges plot against son in Vilas Ghule case; Munde meets CM Fadnavis

The political temperature has risen again over the murder of Vilas Ghule of Kaij taluka in Beed. MP Bajrang Sonawane called a press conference on Thursday and levelled serious allegations against Walmik Karad. Sonawane claimed a conspiracy was hatched to implicate his son in the case.

At the press conference, Sonawane also played an audio clip linked to the Vilas Ghule case. He demanded a forensic examination of the audio.

Meanwhile, Dhananjay Munde met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahyadri guest house. The meeting set off intense political speculation. However, according to available reports, Munde raised the drought situation and help for farmers at the meeting.

In view of the drought in Maharashtra, the crop-loss panchnamas and the aid that follows may take time. Munde therefore asked the Chief Minister that, until then, at least two instalments of the Centre's PM Kisan scheme and the state's Namo Shetkari Sanman Nidhi scheme be paid together to eligible farmers.

Munde is also said to have spoken to the Chief Minister about drinking water, fodder for livestock, water conservation works and help for farmers and farm labourers. The Maharashtra government has already declared drought in 265 talukas and announced several immediate measures.

Separately, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will tour Marathwada on October 2 to assess the drought. He will inspect drought-hit areas in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna districts and speak to farmers.

The visit will focus on an on-the-spot assessment of crop losses, the drinking water problem, fodder for livestock and the financial difficulties of farmers.

The allegations in the Vilas Ghule case, the audio clip played by Bajrang Sonawane and Munde's meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis have once again stirred debate in Beed politics. Attention now turns to what an official inquiry into Sonawane's allegations and the clip he presented will find.