Pankaja Pankaja, yes papa, eating chikki, yes papa: Congress MLAs sing outside Maha Assembly

Mumbai: Stung by opposition's attack against her over the "chikki scam", which included singing of a popular nursery rhyme, Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde on Monday sought to play it down by striking an emotional chord while invoking death of her father and BJP stalwart Gopinath Munde.

"When the opposition was attacking me, they should have refrained from using the word 'papa' in their jibes at me because I have just lost my father," Munde told reporters here.

She was referring to the protest by opposition members who sang popular rhyme "Johnny Johnny... Yes Papa", alluding to procurement of a set of items, including "chikki" (a popular snack) for Anganwadis without calling e-tenders by Child and Woman Department presided over by her.

Terming it as a scam totalling Rs 206 crore, the Congress had earlier filed a complaint with the state Anti-Corruption Bureau.

"Except this emotional issue, I am ready to counter the opposition on any allegations that they make against me or my government that stands strong as ever today. The opposition has started making personal attacks as they are devoid of any issues and want to shift focus from the corrupt practices they followed during their tenure," she said.

The opposition members, who had worked out common strategies to attack the Fadnavis government in both the Houses during the monsoon session, which began today, also raised banners like "Chikki Wale Chikki, Rajgira Chikki, Price Rs 206 crore" and "Pankaja Munde Chikki Chor".