Overview
- An Anti-Corruption Bureau team arrested Rajendra Dherange, a clerk deputed to Minister Narhari Zirwal’s office, while allegedly taking ₹35,000 inside Mantralaya.
- NCP leadership has called a core committee meeting in Mumbai to decide the minister’s political future under growing calls from the Opposition for his resignation.
- Zirwal denies wrongdoing, says he was not in Mumbai during the operation, and pledges to resign if any role by him is proven.
- Investigators are expected to examine the involvement of additional officers from Zirwal’s office as the probe progresses.
- The controversy lands as the NCP has already seen two ministers exit in the past 14 months, intensifying scrutiny on party accountability within the ruling coalition.