New trend of 'political murders' has started in UP: Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati today questioned the state of law and order in UP after a party leader was shot dead in Allahabad, saying a new trend of "political murders" has begun after incidents of casteist and communal violence.
The former UP chief minister said the trend has resulted in the killing of BSP leader Rajesh Yadav, who was the party's candidate from Gyanpur in the last state election.
He was gunned down outside the Allahabad University earlier today and an FIR registered in the case has named Yadav's friend Mukul Singh who accompanied him to the varsity.
"After incidents of casteist and communal violence in the state, a trend of political murders has started, which has resulted in murder of BSP's worker Rajesh Yadav in Allahabad. His murder raises a serious question on the prevailing law and order situation in the state," Mayawati said in statement.

Mayawati urged the BJP government in the state to ensure that the people guilty in the case were arrested soon, according to the statement issued by her party in Lucknow.
"Apart from this murder, incidents of violence during Dussehra and Muharram were reported from nearly a dozen districts, which goes on to prove failure of the Yogi Adityanth government on the law and order front," she said.
The BSP chief alleged that in the states ruled by the BJP, communal and casteist elements were indulging in criminal activities under government patronage. "As a result of which an atmosphere of casteist, communal and political tension is prevailing," she said.

She also asked UP BSP chief Ram Achal Rajbhar, leader of the BSP legislative party Lalji Verma, and senior leader Ambika Chaudhary to visit Bhadohi and console Yadav's family.