BJP levels money laundering charges against Shiv Sena

MUMBAI: The gloves seem to be off as the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed that Shiv Sena's top leadership, including its president Uddhav Thackeray, was involved in money laundering activities.

BJP MP from Mumbai Kirit Somaiya on Monday named seven companies which were being used to launder money. He said that Sena's top leadership had financial dealings with these companies.“The Shiv Sena has made certain allegations against me, so I have declared my property. Now, Uddhav Thackeray should also do the same,“ said Somaiya.

According to him, all the seven companies are shell companies and two of them have been stopped from trading by market regulator Sebi. Former NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal has also routed his money through these two companies, claimed Somaiya.


The BJP MP dared Uddhav to reveal details of his and his partymen's links with these companies.“Let him say that he or any other leader has links or not with these companies,“ said Somaiya. The BJP MP said that he would re veal more details in the coming days if there was no response from the Sena on the allegations. Incidentally, this is not the first time that these companies have been linked with the Sena.

More than a year ago when Somaiya had first made allegations against NCP's Chhgan Bhujbal, he had named a few companies involved in money laundering and linked Sena leadership with them.The Shiv Sena had then expressed its displeasure to the BJP for having been dragged into the Bhujbal row.However, now with the two allies deciding to go their separate ways, the BJP has revived the earlier charges.