Akhilesh government responsible for Saharanpur riots: BJP leader Shahnawaz

Patna: Holding Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav responsible for riots, BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday said their lust for power and poor law and order situation were reasons behind the riots.

"Akhilesh Yadav's government deliberately indulges in disturbing communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh. Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family are dividing the state at a time when the law and order situation is in very bad shape there," Hussain, BJP national spokesperson, told media persons at the state BJP headquarters here.

"Akhilesh-led government has lost its moral right to continue in UP after the defeat in Lok Sabha elections. It has lost the mandate and is facing public anger, but wants to remain in power by any means," he said.

Referring to the riots in Saharanpur, he said everybody has the right to worship, but nobody has the right to stop anybody from worshipping according to his religion or views.

He further added that such incidents should not be tolerated and strict action should be taken by the state government.

Communal riots erupted in Saharanpur on Saturday after people reportedly belonging to a community gathered outside a place of worship and threw stones at it.

Three persons were killed and several injured in the clashes that broke out following the incident. Saharanpur city is currently under curfew with shoot-at-sight orders in place. Hussain said, "BJP wants communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country, but it finally depends on the state government whether to improve or worsen the situation.

"Our government at the Centre is ready to provide all possible help to the UP government in tackling communal tension and ushering in peace and communal harmony," he said.