Friday, July 22 2005 19:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress today (July 22, 2005) demanded a thorough enquiry into the Rs 424 crore bid made by Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi and an associate of Raj Thackarey for acquiring NTC property at Kohinoor Mill as also the origin of money.

"Congress party is disturbed by the detailed reports of the huge bid offered by former Maharashta Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi. We demand an inquiry into matter which involves huge and disproportionate income disclosed by him", Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

He said people and the country have every right to know the origin of money and how 'politics was used for personal aggrandisement'.

Singhvi said the former Maharashtra Chief Minister has to explain specially as his declared assets before the Election Commission and Lok Sabha Speaker is only two-and-half crore.

Laced with sarcasm he expressed the hope that 'all school teachers (Joshi started his career as teacher) do as well as Joshi'.

Referring to Raj Thackarey, Singhvi said the Mumbai photographer too did not have known source of income and said "It is a matter of research how teachers and Photographers who joined politics are doing so well".

An entity jointly floated by Shiv Sena leaders yesterday (July 21, 2005) emerged as the highest bidder at Rs 421 crore for a prime NTC property at Kohinoor Mill No.3.