Sangeet Som's yatra: SP corners PM Modi, rakes up Gujarat riots

Uttar Pradesh PWD Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav on Friday attempted to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi over BJP MLA Sangeet Som's "Paidal Nirbhay Yatra" across Uttar Pradesh to assure safety to the Hindu families from Kairana village of Shamli district and said that the duo must worry about bringing back the people, who fled during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

"Many people migrated after the Gujarat riots. Sangeet Som and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should first worry about them. Prime Minister Modi must first bring back the people, who fled during the Gujarat riots," Yadav told a press conference here.

He claimed the Uttar Pradesh Government has intelligence reports which suggest that there was no exodus from Kairana.

"The people have left the place in search for jobs. We will not let the BJP vitiate the atmosphere here. We have intelligence reports to prove that there was no exodus in Kairana," he added.

Yadavb further said the BJP MLA was attempting to vitiate the atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, adding strict action would be initiated against such elements.

Som, who kicked off his "Paidal Nirbhay Yatra" earlier in the day, urged his supporters not to violate the law and maintain peace.

"The moment administration tells us that we are in violation of Section-142, we will stop the rally," he told the media in Meerut.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, however, said this rally is 'uncalled for', adding that the party has not yet given a green signal in this regard.

"The BJP has not said anything to push this forward. Sangeet ji has been insisted that there's no need for this right now. We will think about it and wait for the party's instructions," he said.