Harmed by UP riots, RLD alleges SP-Sangh Parivar nexus

Ajit Singh alleged that SP and BJP "joined" hands to break the long ties between the two communities so that they could gain by the polarisation of votes

Conceding that the Muzaffarnagar communal violence had harmed it, RLD today alleged that the "political riots" in Uttar Pradesh last year could have been engineered by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in collusion with Sangh Parivar.

RLD chief and Union Minister Ajit Singh, who draws his political strength from the Jat and Muslim-dominated region of western UP, alleged that SP and BJP "joined" hands to break the long ties between the two communities so that they could gain by the polarisation of votes.

To buttress his claim, he said VHP leader Ashok Singhal had met Mulayam Singh Yadav, suggesting that they might have conspired.

"VHP has no base in UP. What talks did Singhal have with Yadav for two hours?... These were not Hindu-Muslim riots but political riots," Ajit Singh said addressing a gathering of Muslims at his residence here.

"All newspapers are saying the riots have harmed Lok Dal. BJP and Mulayam Singh Yadav have benefited. It may be true," he said.

He said it is being speculated now that next riots will be in Faizabad.

His son and MP Jayant Chaudhary was more open and admitted that riots have damaged his party. He said SP and BJP wanted to benefit from the violence.

Singh said the riots could have been prevented if the administration had acted swiftly against the accused involved in teasing a girl. The incident is said to be the trigger for violence between both communities in which 60 people were killed and hundres left homeless.