Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde found herself embroiled in a fresh controversy after a purported audio clip appeared in which she is heard “threatening” a priest of the Bhagwangad hill shrine in Ahmednagar district to allow her to make a speech on Dussehra.
Pankaja, in the unverified audio is also heard saying false cases would be lodged against the supporters of Namdev Shastri Maharaj in Parli who opposes her.
In the purported conversation she allegedly said she can buy anyone she wishes from the money provided for ’25-15′ — a scheme meant for funding small works in rural areas.
“I have told my people that we do not want to fight until the 11th (October). I can buy you (people) out but don’t want to do that. Whatever I have given you in the past I have given with you asking. You remember me giving you money out of 25-15? Now I won’t give you money,” Pankaja is heard saying.
“What is to be done with Namdev Shastri is a matter to be thought about in the future. We have to get the Dussehra celebrations done and thus do not want anything wrong to happen from our end,” she is further heard saying in the purported audio clip.
