Calling it a "scam of words" Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde, under fire for alleged irregularities in purchase of items worth Rs 206 crore, today said that similar items were procured at a higher price during the previous Congress-NCP rule.


"The earlier Congress-led regime purchased such items at a cost of Rs 408 crore during its tenure. You call that a purchase and term the procurement made by us a scam," Munde said.


"It is a scam of words," Munde, a BJP member in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet, said, adding that "the allegations against me are politically motivated".


The previous regime had in 2013-14 alone made purchases worth Rs 114 crore, the minister claimed. "I want every child to fight malnourishment with the support of government and I will ensure that despite of what happens," she said. "These are politically motivated charges. I deny all charges against me. There is an intention (on the part of the Opposition) that some scam should be attached to a BJP minister," she said.