Mumbai: Sleuths of Enforcement Directorate has taken Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik for questioning today morning in a money laundering case.

This development may trigger a further escalation of the war of words between Maha Vikah Agadhi government and Narendra Modi led government at Centre.

ED officials have visited Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader’s residence at 6 am, Malik was questioned for an hour. Later ED officials have taken him to the office for further questioning, where he was questioned for another hour, say sources.

NCP top leader and minister in Uddhav Thackeray government, Nawab Malik alleged facing money laundering case and his links with Mumbai underworld.

ED officials have recorded his statement under the prevention of money laundering act. Nawab Malik's office has confirmed about ED officials' visit to his residence and its questioning.

"Today morning the ED had come to @nawabmalikncp saheb's residence. They accompanied saheb in his vehicle to the ED office. Advocate Amir Malik, Saheb's son has accompanied saheb along with," tweeter handle of Malik office said.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has again accused the central agencies of being politically motivated. In a subtle warning to the BJP, Mr Raut also said that he is going to "expose" several officials involved in corruption "no matter what the cost".

"Nawab Malik was bringing out the truth. Whoever speaks against them (the BJP) has the CBI and ED unleashed after them. ED has taken him in the morning. Let them investigate, we hope he will be back home by evening," he said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that "We knew Nawab Malik would be targeted in this manner when he had attacked the Centre. I don't know about the case against him but Dawood's name has always been invoked to try to defame rivals," he said.

Mr Pawar claimed that he was also accused of having ties with the underworld when he was the state's, Chief Minister. "25 years later, the same trick is being used to harass and defame," he said.

On the other hand, bjp rubbished the allegations of political vendetta. BJP alleged that Malik was questioned because of his alleged links with underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim's aide and buying land from underworld gangster’s aid, said BJP MLA from Mumbai's Ghatkopar West Ram Kadam.