Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde on Tuesday said that the allegations of irregularities in awarding a Rs 191 crore contract against him are false and a 'political conspiracy'.
"It is all untrue. It is a lie. We have been accused without any basis. When this file had come to us, when this file had come to the education ministry there were some issues in it following which it was closed," said Tawde.
"When there was no purchasing or no investment and not even a decision taken on the matter, how can people make such accusations? It is a very serious issue. This is a political conspiracy," he added.
Tawde is facing allegations of irregularities in a contract awarded by him.
The finance department has sought a detailed probe into allegations of irregularities in a Rs 191 crore contract awarded by Tawde's School Education Department without e-tendering.
The contract which was cleared by Tawde, was put on hold after the finance department objected to it.
The matter pertains to the supply of fire extinguishers to 62,105 zilla parishad schools in Maharashtra.