Pankaja Munde row: AAP calls for Fadnavis to provide explanation

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday called upon Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to provide an explanation after charges of corruption were levelled against his minister, Pankaja Munde.

"Devendra Fadnavis, who comes into office on the agenda of combating corruption, today cannot be seen compromising on same issue. There are grave charges of corruption against a minister in the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Cabinet. He should come out with explanation for the same," AAP leader Ashish Khetan told ANI.

Khetan later also tweeted on the issue.

"Reportedly BJP minister Pankaja Munde violated rules of transparent bidding & cleared inflated deals to purchase items for govt schools," he wrote.

"The alleged scam involving Pankaja Munde is over Rs 200 crores. Charges are grave & warrants a statement from Maha CM @Dev_Fadnavis," he added.

The opposition in the state has accused Munde of flouting norms while clearing purchase orders.

As per rules, all government procurements over Rs three lakh are to be made through e-tenders. However, the Maharashtra Women and Children Development Ministry cleared the overcharged purchase orders for anganwadi schools without inviting tenders.

The incident came to light after the Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad president wrote to Munde, complaining about the quality of food (chikki) distributed to tribal students under the Integrated Child Development Services.