Ministers facing allegations should step down: Sena

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said that the party will wait for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' statement on the issue

Even as two Maharashtra BJP ministers came under cloud over allegations of irregularities in awarding contracts, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant today favoured their stepping down until proved innocent.

The Sena leader also said that the party will wait for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' statement on the issue.

"When such an incident had happened during Balasaheb's time, he asked for proof against his minister. When he prima facie found substance in the material given to him, he asked his minister to resign, face an inquiry and asked him to come out clean. He had categorically told his minister that he would be reinstated if he comes clean in the inquiry," Sawant told PTI.

"Similar standards should be applied here. Why be scared of an inquiry?" he said.

Sawant was reacting to the allegations of impropriety against state Education Minister Vinod Tawde, who has been accused of awarding contracts to buy fire extinguishers worth Rs 191 crore without inviting e-tenders.

Reacting strongly to the allegations, Tawde had said not a single rupee was paid to contractors and that his department immediately stopped the order when the Finance Department raised objections.

The Sena leader also said his party was waiting for the CM's response over the alleged Rs 206-crore procurement scam related to Women and Child Development Department headed by Minister Pankaja Munde.

"Similar is the case with Pankaja Munde. Uddhavji had said allegations against her are serious. The CM is competent enough to look into the matter. We are waiting for his statement now," Sawant said on charges against Munde, who has been accused of clearing purchases worth Rs 206 crore on February 13 through 24 Government Resolutions through a rate contract system.

A host of items including snacks, mats, dishes, water filters, medicines and books for children were purchased under the Integrated Child Development Services by the Women and Child Development Department.