Ruckus in Maharashtra Assembly

I’m innocent, says Pankaja Munde, reacting to The Hindu report on her alleged ties with tainted firm

Mumbai 04/08/2016 Pankaja Munde comin out of assembly hall in Mumbai on August 03, 2016. Photo: Vivek Bendre

The Hindu story on >alleged links between Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde and a road scam-tainted contractor rocked the Assembly on Thursday, leading to over five adjournments.

Claiming innocence, Ms. Munde read out a statement, which said she had neither met Mumbai’s Mayor seeking special favours in road contracts nor dealt with road contracts in her political career.

Accepting that Ketan Shah, one of the directors of RPS Infrastructure, had approached her husband’s advertising company Supra Media Services for a publicity contract of foot-over bridges, she claimed that she and her husband were concerned only about the media report and not road contracts.

“Neither me nor my family was involved in any road contracts. My husband has been in this business for the last 14 years, even before I became a Minister. Targeting me for political reasons is understood, but now my family is being dragged into it for no reason,” she said.

Ms. Munde demanded an apology from Congress MLA Vijay Vadvettiwar, who had raised the issue during zero hour and named her. As per the rules, an MLA has to give prior notice to other members of the house, whom he is going to name.

Following Ms. Munde’s statement, BJP MLAs stalled the proceedings thrice, demanding an apology from Mr. Vadvettiwar. Coming to the rescue of Ms. Munde, senior BJP leader Ekanath Khadse, who had to resign as Revenue Minster over allegations of corruption, said the subject was not limited to Ms. Munde. “The Assembly should not hold discussions based on media reports, without any proof.”

NCP leader Ajit Pawar, however, said: “Mr. Vadvettiwar named the Minister only after the Speaker sought to know the name of the person against whom allegations have been made.” The opposition is likely to issue notice for a discussion on Friday with respect to The Hindu story.

Speaking to reporters, Ms. Munde said: “I will fight in the court against attempts to malign me. I will move a privilege motion against the newspaper for publishing false reports.”