Thursday, March 10 2005 10:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Firebrand MP Sanjay Nirupam, who resigned from Shiv Sena yesterday (Mar 9, 2005), claimed that Reliance had given him money before the last Lok Sabha elections but returned it after his campaign.

Nirupam told Star News that he returned the money because he did not need it, according to a release issued by television news channel.

He denied Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's reported charge that he had taken money from Reliance Industries Vice Chairman Anil Ambani.

Nirupam claims to have told Thackeray, "If the accusation is true, you can shoot me," said the release.

He said that he has never taken sides with either of the Ambani brothers saying, "I am neither a friend of Anil nor an enemy of Mukesh," it added.

Nirupam criticised the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government's telecom policy alleging it had taken decisions, which favoured a particular company.

He said that he had never taken the name of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan in his earlier statements but after he said that the matter needs to be debated in Parliament "inordinate pressure" was put on him to "keep quiet on the issue."

Asked about his future plan, he said he would not retire from politics and will find a new party.