BJP issues show-cause notices to 2 UP MLAs for remarks allegedly targeting Muslims, questioning authorities

The BJP on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to two of its Uttar Pradesh MLAs -- Suresh Tiwari, who allegedly asked people not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors, and Shyam Prakash for levelling corruption charges against Hardoi health authorities in the purchase of medical equipment.

The conduct of both the MLAs is against the party's policy, BJP's Uttar Pradesh media in-charge Manish Dixit said in a statement, adding that they have been asked to give their replies within a week.

Party sources said its central leadership found Tiwari's remarks "highly irresponsible", and its national president J P Nadda "pulled up" the state brass for not taking quick action.

They said Nadda admonished UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and asked him to take action against Tiwari.

Both Tiwari and Prakash are from Hardoi district and have left the party red-faced with their statements.

Tiwari, who represents Barhaj constituency in Deoria district in the state assembly, was seen in a video clip purportedly telling people: "I am saying this openly: don't purchase vegetables from Muslims (Ek cheez dhayan mein rakhiyega, main bol raha hoon openly, koi bhi miyan ke hathon sabzi nahi lega)."
When asked about his remark, Tewari said, "On April 17th or 18th, I was distributing masks and sanitizers among the people. When I reached the boundary of the nagar palika, around 17-18 people came to me and started complaining against Tablighi Jamaat members creating chaos and spreading coronavirus and also contaminating vegetables with their saliva."
Reacting to the allegations, District Magistrate Pulkit Khare said, "The chief development officer has been directed to initiate a departmental action against the chief medical officer while orders have been issued to suspend pharmacist JN Tiwari."