SP leader challenges Raj Thackeray, offers Rs 2 crore

Mumbai, Aug 22:

leader Abu Asim Azmi on Wednesday offered Rs. two crore to MNS chief

if he substantiates his allegation about Bangladeshi voters in the Assembly constituency from where he won the poll.

"Raj Thackeray says there are lakhs of Bangladeshis in my constituency. I will give Rs. 2 crore if he shows even one lakh Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in Bhiwandi," Mr Azmi said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Mr Azmi even displayed the Rs. two crore cheque on the occasion.

"I will quit politics if his charge is proved. If he fails, he will have to quit," Mr Azmi said, accusing the MNS
chief of playing politics by fooling Marathi people.

"Raj has abused me. Even I can hurl abuse, but my tehzeeb doesn't allow it," Mr Azmi said. The MNS morcha was taken out in Mumbai on Tuesday without permission and police should act against the organisers, he said.

Mr Azmi congratulated Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik for displaying "restraint" while tackling the August 11 violence at Azad Maidan.

"The drug mafia was behind that violence. The culprits joined the protest morcha later," he said.

On Raj Thackeray displaying a purported Bangladeshi passport at the rally on Tuesday, Mr Azmi said: "The throwing of passport should be inquired into. It is a serious offence."

"Raj Thackeray is against Dalits and Muslims. His Hindutva face has come to the fore," Mr Azmi said.

PTI