‘BJP, AIMIM planning riots over Ram temple’

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to stage riots on Ram temple issue with the help of Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

Mr Thackeray said that he has received information from New Delhi that leaders of these two parties have been planning communal riots in country over Ram Mandir issue. He also said that the BJP has nothing to show on development front in its four-and-a-half-year long rule and is now preparing to spread communal hatred ahead of general elections.

While addressing MNS workers on Monday night in Vikhroli, Mr Thackeray made the sensational allegation.

“I got a call from Delhi. In next few days, there will be riots on the Ram Mandir issue. The talks (for riots) have been held with Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM). In this country, such things will happen. This government has no substantial work to show and so they are planning riots,” said Mr Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut asked Mr Thackeray to inform state police if he really holds any information. “This is serious. He should inform police rather than speaking in public rally,” said Mr Raut.

Responding to Mr Thackeray’s statement AIMIM leader and Mem-ber of Legislative Asse-mbly Waris Pathan calle-d the allegations non-ser-ious. “Everyone knows that Mr Thackeray is nowhere in state politics. He is trying hard to capture the space. So he is making allegations against us. But he doesn’t have any proof because there is no truth in it,” said Mr Pathan. He also said that people of Maharashtra wouldn’t believe in the allegations of Mr Thackeray.

The NCP said that the allegation is serious and now it would be the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order. “BJP should be alert to avoid any such thing,” said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik.