MUMBAI: Maharashtra forest minister Sanjay Rathod of Shiv Sena resigned after meeting with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at Varsha bungalow, CM’s official residence.
Rathod’s name had surfaced in connection with the death of TikTok star Pooja Chavan (22) who allegedly ended her life by jumping off a building in Pune on February 8
Rathod along with his wife met CM Thackeray on Sunday afternoon and discussed the issue. The meeting was attended by urban development minister Eknath Shinde, transport minister Anil Parab and environment minister Aaditya Thackeray.
49-year-old Rathod is a four-time MLA said to be a strong leader in Vidarbha region, a Shiv Sena stronghold.
Earlier in a day, Banjara community leaders came forward in support of the minister and demanded that the CM not let him step down.
On the other hand, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said if Rathod stays then BJP MLAs would resign from the Shakti Law Bill committee.
In the first interaction with the media after resignation, Sanjay Rathod said that opposition BJP tried to destroy his political career. “I have tendered my resignation to the chief minister Uddhav Thackeray so that the probe should be unfair and impartial, and truth should come out,” said Rathod.
He also clarified that he just resigned as a minister and not as legislator.
He added, “In an unfortunate incident a young girl from our Banjara community died and taking advantage of an incident, the opposition BJP through media and social media tried to destroy my political career. Whatever I did in my 30 years of political and social field, have been destroyed by the opposition. Now the truth should come out through an impartial probe."