BJP MP accuses Thackeray of money-laundering

Mumbai, Feb 16: Intensifying the ongoing war between the two ruling allies, a Bharatiya Jata Party MP on Thursday accused Shiv Se President Uddhav Thackeray of money-laundering. Mumbai Lok Sabha member Kirit Somaiya, a chartered accountant by profession, made the allegation against Thackeray after he declared his assets following the charges levelled against him by the Shiv Se.

“Now Uddhav Thackeray should also do it,” Somaiya said in a statement. He said he had declared all his accounts and fincial transactions for the past 20 years.

“I myself declare and confirm that I have never (been) involved in any non-transparent transaction shell/bogus/khokha company. Let Uddhav Thackeray declare all his fincial transactions before the public,” Somaiya said.

Additiolly, he med seven companies, which he claimed indulged in money-laundering, and asked the Shiv Se to clarify if they had entered into any fincial transactions with these firms.

“Why Uddhav Thackeray is not disclosing his assets? Is he afraid of connection with the 7 shell companies involved in money-laundering,” Somaiya asked.

The companies he med are: Jagmandri Finvest Pvt Ltd, Kim Electronic Industries Ltd., JPK Trading India Pvt Ltd., Lexus Infotech Ltd., Regalgold Trading Company Pvt. Ltd., Vanguard Jewels Ltd., and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd.

Somaiya claimed that while the SEBI had issued prohibitory orders on Lexus Infotech Ltd. and Yash-V-Jewels Ltd., tiolist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal had allegedly used two other companies “Regalgold Trading and Vanguard Jewels - for money-laundering purposes”. (IANS)