Raj Thackeray rubbishes allegations of vote-for-money in MLC polls

Mumbai, June 13 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray rubbished allegations of vote-for-money by Shiv Sena activists during the recent Municipal Legislative Council (MLC) polls in Maharashtra.

Thackeray said that his priority was to get the suspension of four party deputies revoked.

"The most important thing for me was to get the suspension of four party deputies revoked in the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council), so that they could serve the thousands of people who elected them," said Thackeray.

"It would have been unfair to the people if my deputies did not serve their purpose," he added.

Thackeray denied having struck a deal with Congress party in the recent legislative council polls, and said the Shiv Sena has been opportunistic.

"Why has Shiv Sena forgotten that Sena- BJP alliance joined hands with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Pune Municipal elections?" said Thackeray.

"Why did they send Ghanshyam Dubey in Vidhan Parishad, Pritish Nandy and Mukesh Patel in Rajya Sabha Were these people social activists working with Abhay Bang for tribals?" he added.

Earlier in November 2009, the MNS MLAs were suspended for attacking Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi inside the state assembly for not taking oath in Marathi. (ANI)