By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
To mark International Minority Rights Day, the UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav decided to spend his time distributing pension to Muslims at a function in the Islamic Center of India, Farangi Mahal in Lucknow.
But with elections coming, it was no surprise that the Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati used this to fire a fresh salvo against the Samajwadi Party.
Mincing no words, Mayawati charged that celebrating a day for the rights of Minorities in a token manner will not help. “(Only) when the head of present SP government frees himself from the clutches of BJP and works honestly for the welfare of Muslims will it be of any help. But he has not done so in his tenure,” Mayawati said.
She further stated that during the SP government, there were more than 400 riots including Muzaffarnagar and that this government will be remembered in the same manner as BJP is remembered for Ayodhya demolition and Congress for Hashimpura-Maiana carnage, Bhagalpur, Bhiwandi and other riots.
She also questioned why every time there is SP government in the state the BJP becomes stronger. She claimed that during her regime in UP, BJP became weaker and it shows that both SP and BJP are hand-in-glove with each other. She also stated that during BSP’s rule, UP was free from riots and law and order was maintained.
She also raised the issue of relief for Muzaffarnagar riot victims, stating that the victims have not been provided relief and their families have not been give government jobs as promised.
Hitting out at SP, she stated that it is questionable why the SP government is soft on the accused of Muzaffanagar riots.
It is noteworthy that Mayawati has now decided to go after Dalit-Muslim combine in the coming assembly polls. After fielding over 100 candidates from Muslim community, she is making all out efforts to wean away Muslims from SP.