Earlier MLAs would defect for Rs 50 lakh: Ajit Pawar

Pawar recalled how Vilasrao Deshmukh govt had to ferry its MLAs to Bangalore to avoid horse-trading before majority vote

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar, who is known for being outspoken, on Tuesday claimed there was a time when MLAs used to defect for Rs 50 lakh, but nowadays not even a corporator can be made to switch the sides with that amount.

Pawar, who was speaking at a party meet in Karmala in Solapur district, recalled the incident of how the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led state government had to ferry its MLAs to Bangalore to avoid any sort of horse-trading before the majority vote.

"Due to the fear of horse-trading and defection of MLAs, Vilasrao Deshmukh got frustrated and in that period MLAs were ferried to Bangalore as that time MLAs used to defect for Rs 50 lakh, but nowadays even a corporator cannot be made to cross over with that amount," he said.

Pawar also appealed to all the parties not to give candidature to those who defect and join other party.