Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the
mob killing of a Muslim man in Dadri two weeks ago over beef rumours is "part of a pre-meditated strategy of the BJP".
In his first interview since Mohammad Akhlaq of Bisada village in Uttar Pradesh was lynched by a mob, Akhilesh Yadav told NDTV that he did not believe the attack was a spontaneous act.
He cited a preliminary investigation by his government to say, "Facts indicate that Dadri was part of a pre-meditated strategy of the BJP and those affiliated to the party."
The 42-year-old chief minister added in a serious indictment, "The Dadri issue resonated across the world - is it possible the BJP leadership didn't know? The BJP top leaders know precisely what the party is doing in UP."
The 42-year-old charged the Bharatiya Janata Party, which leads the ruling coalition at the Centre, with attempting to whip up communal passions in the state.
"The BJP has been changing issues in UP very fast to divide communities and divert the political debate. First it was love jihad, then
ghar wapasi or conversions. It even created trouble in Moradabad over the use of loud speakers," he said.
For the first time, Mr Yadav also responded to the allegation of rival parties that his Samajwadi Party has tacitly supported the BJP's alleged attempts at polarisation to get minority votes. He dismissed the charge saying, "Who benefited from the Muzaffarnagar riots? The BJP and allies won 73 seats ( in UP in last year's national election). The Samajwadi Party got five, down from 39 in 2004. The BJP has the maximum MPs from UP. I feel they have a strategy at all levels... to create tension in UP."
On September 28, a 100-strong mob attacked and killed Mr Akhlaq over rumours that he had slaughtered a calf and stored and eaten beef. Amid outrage and an intense political debate on cow slaughter, several BJP leaders visited the tense Dadri region and made controversial speeches.
Rejecting
Home Minister Rajnath Singh's request that the BJP not be held responsible for the actions of some members, Mr Yadav told NDTV, "No political party party can distance itself from the actions of its workers."
He also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "The PM is travelling abroad for investment. But such incidents will hurt those attempts. Today, there are BJP leaders making inflammatory remarks. I want to know from the BJP, who is the party leader the workers making these remarks will listen to. That leader must come forward to stop them."
Akhilesh Yadav, who rode a huge popularity wave for change in UP to win a majority in 2012, faces a litmus test in early 2017 when assembly elections will be held again. He has been criticised over law and order and escalated communal tension in the state.