Beni vows to fight SP over law and order situation in UP

Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma today said he would continue his agitation over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh until the Samajwadi Party government was compelled to step down.

Speaking at a demonstration against the Muzaffarnagar violence and the alleged killing of a farmer by sand mining mafia in Haidergarh, Verma said the agitation would continue across the state till SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav quit politics and the party was ousted from power.

Verma created a controversy yesterday after he asked the Congress MP from Barabanki, PL Punia, not to attend a party demonstration over the law and order situation in the state.

He had justified the move saying that the programme was not organised by Congress but being held on his personal initiative.

Verma alleged that 50 riots had so far taken place under the SP regime, in which 150 Muslims were killed.

Alleging that SP was behind the Muzaffarnagar violence, Verma claimed that he had sufficient evidence to prove that charge.

Speaking on the alleged murder of Ram Manorath Verma in Jauras of Haidergarh, Verma said, "He was killed at the behest of SP workers for protesting against illegal sand mining." He also demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder.

Stating that he would not request the Centre to dissolve the UP government, Verma said he would build a mass movement that would force SP to relinquish power.

"The party which is incapable of handling a state should not dream of making a Prime Minister," he said.