Mumbai: Coming to the rescue of Rajya Sabha MP Abu Asim Azmi, accused of having links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, the Samajwadi Party (SP) on October 10 said the allegations were politically motivated and threatened to slap defamation suits against Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) top leadership.

Similarly, it also plans to drag to court, BJP national spokesman Prakash Jawdekar for reportedly stating that Samajwadi Party was receiving funds from Dawood, SP National General Secretary Amar Singh told reporters in Mumbai.

"The charges against Azmi are politically motivated as he is fighting tooth and nail against the communal forces", Singh said and asserted that his party has not received a single paisa from any criminal.

"Either substantiate the accusations or be prepared for a legal battle", Singh said challenging the BJP leadership.

Azmi, who was present on the occasion, said he would file a defamation case against BJP state unit chief Gopinath Munde for reportedly making the charge.

Admitting that Azmi knew Dawood since they stayed in the same locality years ago, Singh said but then all those sitting next to Dawood during Cricket matches at Sharjah must be also subjected to the probe.

"Has thespian Dilip Kumar not met Dawood?", asked the SP general secretary saying similar question could be asked to top leaders of Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

"Even a few years ago former union home secretary's report claimed that NCP president Sharad Pawar had links with underworld, but I will not level such a grave charge against the senior NCP leader without any substantial proof", he said.

PTI