Being targeted for alleged irregularities in purchases worth Rs. 206 crore without inviting tenders, Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde said on Wednesday that the accusations against her were of a political nature and if proven guilty, she would quit politics. However, she refused to resign from her post, pending inquiry.
“We continued functioning the same way the Congress government did. If my decisions are wrong, then one must also ask questions of the earlier government which purchased goods in a similar manner,” Ms. Munde said a press conference after her return from London.
The Congress, however, demanded her resignation and also of Education Minister Vinod Tawde whose department is also under the scanner for alleged irregularities in the tender process estimated at Rs. 191 crore. “We will not let the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly function if these two ministers do not resign,” said Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
‘No rules violated’Ms. Munde said her decision not to call for e-tenders to make purchases did not violate any rules since the government resolution for the same was published in April. “I had to go ahead in February to ensure that funds are spent,” she said.
The Minister even challenged the credibility of the Opposition which had registered a complaint against her with the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). “I am ready to face any inquiry and my department will answer all queries,” she said. Ms. Munde hinted that her estranged cousin and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde, of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was behind the allegations.
The Congress lashed out at the Minister’s reply saying it was the BJP which was against the rate contract system of the past and pushed for e-tendering. “It was her party which changed the system, but could not walk the talk. Our purchases were never under allegations, so it is the BJP’s responsibility to answer allegations,” said Sachin Sawant, spokesperson, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
