BJP, SP enacting 'drama' in Varanasi to influence polls: Mayawati

She claimed that SP used district administration of Varanasi to 'benefit' BJP and vitiate atmosphere of free and fair election and 'influence Muslims'

Press Trust of India Lucknow
Last Updated : May 08 2014 | 2:10 PM IST
Terming Narendra Modi's rally being denied in the temple town and the ensuing protests from the saffron party leaders in Varanasi as a "new drama", BSP supremo Mayawati has alleged that BJP in connivance with SP were "doing" this to influence the elections on the remaining seats in the state.

"The elections in 18 seats are left in which BJP and SP stalwarts Narendra Modi and Mulayam Singh are contesting from Varanasi and Azamgarh seats. Despite playing caste and communal cards, the position of these parties were getting worse, and so they have started enacting a new drama and conspiracy in Varanasi from yesterday", Mayawati told reporters.

"They are doing this to give Hindu-Muslim colour to elections in remaining seats to take political mileage", she alleged, adding that religious programme of Ganga puja was planned by BJP (in Varanasi) for political gains, in connivance with the SP.

She claimed that Samajwadi Party used the district administration of Varanasi to "benefit" BJP and vitiate atmosphere of free and fair election and "influence Muslims".

"SP is trying to give a message to Muslims of eastern UP that only it can deal with BJP. This, however is not true", she said.

"It is well known that when BJP failed to vitiate the atmosphere in western district besides Faizabad and Amethi, in connivance with SP it started a new kind of drama in Varanasi adopting the policy of controversy to influence the elections on the remaining seats", she alleged.

Maywati criticised Modi and other partymen, specially Amit Shah for allegedly creating communal and casteist disputes with ill intentions.

"SP has given a chance to BJP to create a wave in its favour by holding dharna. This could have been averted had SP wanted so. Even if there is a security issue, it was the duty of SP government to ensure it", Mayawati said.

Top BJP leaders including Arun Jaitley today held protests in Varanasi against the Election Commission and the Returning Officer who had denied permission to Modi for holding a public meeting at a venue of his choice.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 08 2014 | 2:10 PM IST

Next Story