There is no place for communalism in UP: SP

Samajwadi Party (SP) on Monday slammed the provocative and anti-Muslim speech made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suresh Rana and asserted that there is no place for communalism in Uttar Pradesh.

SP leader Rajendra Chaudhary said BJP leaders have no shame and do not care about the democracy.

"Leaders of Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) have no shame; they do not care about the democracy. The people of Uttar Pradesh have decided that the SP will win and because of which BJP leaders are getting anxious. But indecent language and behaviour will not be tolerated in a democracy. There is no place for communalism in Uttar Pradesh," said Chaudhary.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month ruled that "religion, race, caste, community or language would not be allowed to play any role in the electoral process" and that election of a candidate would be declared null and void if an appeal is made to seek votes on these considerations.

Addressing a meeting in Shamli's Thana Bhawan yesterday, Rana said if he wins then the Muslim-dominated areas of Uttar Pradesh will witness curfew.

"If I win, curfew will be imposed in Kairana, Deoband and Moradabad," he said.

The MLA went on further saying that his defeat would be celebrated in Deoband and Moradabad.

The BJP candidate for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections from Thana Bhawan constituency was one of the key accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.