Amid the controversy over allotment of land to her for a dance institute at a throw-away price, actress-politician Hema Malini on Monday said she has “not grabbed” the land and will abide by the government’s rules regarding its purchase.

The Opposition Congress had earlier turned up the heat on the BJP-led government for the allotment of land at Ambivali in suburban Andheri to Ms Malini’s Natyavihar Kalakendra Charity Trust at a throw-away price of Rs 70,000.

“I have not paid anything as of now. I will follow all the rules and regulations of the government. Why speculate the price when I don’t know myself how much I have to pay... whatever will be the cost I will pay it,” she told reporters here.

Ms Malini also asked not to make it a political issue.

“Thank you all for making it an issue nationally and internationally. Don’t make it a political matter. It’s my right to make this dance institute in Mumbai as I have been living here. I don’t know why an issue is made out of it,” she said.

The veteran actress also said that she has struggled for 20 years to get the land.