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Uttar Pradesh polls: How prepared is SP to counter BJP on the Kairana issue

Raza Naqvi | Updated on: 17 June 2016, 17:15 IST

Every political party worth its agenda is gearing up for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Each party has its poll plank ready, and it seems the Bhartiya Janata Party is expecting to extract the maximum political mileage from the Kairana issue.

Amidst reports that Hindus are migrating from Kairana due to professional reasons, the BJP is allegedly painting it with a communal colour, escalating tension among Hindus and Muslims. Today, controversial BJP MLA Sangeet Som started a 'Paidal Nirbhay Yatra' from his hometown, Sardhana.

After walking along with hundreds of his supporters for 1km stretch, Som was stopped by the police citing Section 144 which has been imposed in the area, forcing the fireband BJP leader to suspend his march.

Also read: 2017 UP elections: Here's why Muslim voters may desert the Samajwadi Party

'High level meeting is on'

According to a source close to Samajwadi Party's Rajendra Chaudhary, a high-level meeting is currently being held at the residence of UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, to discuss the Kairana issue.

"A meeting is going on at the CM's residence, the party is chalking out a strategy to stop BJP from creating a troublesome situation in the state. The police has been given orders to keep a tab on hardened criminals in Kairana and nearby areas," said the source.

Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi likely to bank on riot victims to capture Uttar Pradesh

'Cannot afford another riot situation'

Speaking to Catch, a senior SP leader said, "We are making our best efforts to control the situation in western UP. After the Muzaffarnagar riots, the party cannot afford another riot situation in the state and the BJP wants to badly tarnish the SP government's image."

"Som's yatra is nothing but a way of escalating the communal tension by provoking both sides. For the sake of votes, the BJP can do anything. Many people are facing a life threat due to these 'fake reports of Hindus migrating from Kairana due to fear of the Muslims'," he added.

Also read: Mathura violence: Was Samajwadi Party govt planning to lease the Jawahar Bagh land at Re 1 per year?

'A way of polarisation'

Speaking to Catch, Haji Mohammad Salis, General Secretary of the All India Sunni Ulema Council, said that the BJP is trying to mobilise voters and agents of Hindutva. Speaking about the issue of Kairana, he said Hindu families were migrating due to business opportunities and this is being used by the BJP to harm Muslims.

"The SP leaders should tackle the situation; they should try to minutely observe all the developments that are happening in western UP, only section 144 cannot stop anti-social elements, more efforts need to be made by the ruling government to avoid a riot-like situation," he said.

Also read: Will Asaduddin Owaisi lead an alliance of Muslim parties in Uttar Pradesh elections?

First published: 17 June 2016, 17:15 IST
 
Raza Naqvi @Mir_Naqvi

Raza is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and has worked with the Hindustan Times in the past. A passionate follower of crime stories, he is currently working as a Sub-Editor at the Speed News desk.