Deposing before the Gundewar commission on Monday, Bhujbal said he was never associated with Gupta, who in an affidavit had alleged that the Congress leader had asked him to desecrate the bust on July 11 last year and provided him with a car.

To a question put by Agarwal's counsel Shirish Gupte, Bhujbal denied that on July 8, 1997 he met Gupta and asked him to go to Shahad on the next day. Gupta had claimed he was given a car along with the driver and on the way to Shahad he was told to stop at Ramabai Nagar to garland the bust of Ambedkar with chappals. Bhujbal denied this on Monday.

Earlier, Gupte had stated that the police personnel who were posted outside Bhujbal's residence in their statements had mentioned that on July 9, 1997, some people had called on Bhujbal after7.30 pm and were seen discussing with Bhujbal.

In his reply, the Congress leader said that he had met some party MLAs and workers and spoke to them for some time. However, all this happened before 7.30 pm when he had retired to his bedroom, he said arguing that it is not possible for the police to see what was happening inside the bungalow because of the long distance between the policemen at the gate and the room.

With the conclusion of Bhujbal's examination today the deposition by all witnesses was concluded. Decisions on some applications are yet to be taken while the concerned advocates on record have been directed to file written submissions on which the orders will be passed.

The leader of the Opposition who had deposed before the Gundewar Commission last on December 10, 1997 had sought postponement of his cross-examination by Agarwal's counsel since he had to attend the winter session of the state legislature at Nagpur.