Irked by the statement of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah terming Azamgarh as a nursery of terrorists, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati demanded immediate ban on his entry in Uttar Pradesh by the Election Commission.
Mayawati also demanded a ban on entry of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi in UP for saying that if Muslims do not vote for SP, their DNA should be tested.
“The statements of Shah and Azmi were made to polarise the elections and could trigger communal violence in Purvanchal,” she said.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mayawati described BJP candidate from Azamgarh, Ramakant Yadav, as “the biggest terrorist”.
Mayawati said Ramakant Yadav and his brother Umakant Yadav were “thrown out” of the BSP for terrorising the poor people and Umakant was arrested during her regime.
“How can any community be punished for misdeeds of some individualsIJ No Hindu or Muslim can be held responsible for any terror link by any individual and if such things happen then several people of Gujarat should also be termed as terrorists,” she said.
Appealing to the Chief Election Commissioner to take cognisance of the statements of Shah and Azmi, Mayawati said: “It is clear violation of the model code of conduct and could lead to untoward incidents in Purvanchal where polling is scheduled on May 7 and 12.’’
The former Chief Minister of UP also demanded deployment of central forces in all the polling booths in Poorvanchal and keeping UP Police out of the booths to ensure free and fair elections.
Mayawati also condemned the statements of Samajwadi Party leaders and distribution of CDs of her past alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“There is an attempt to confuse the people by raking up the old issues,” she said.
Mayawati also appealed to all parties not to rake up the Ayodhya issue as the matter was sub judice.
later, addressing a rally in Gorakhpur, the BSP chief said that Samajwadi Party leaders do not respect the Dalit icons and have an anti-Dalit mindset.
“The SP, the BJP and the Congress have ruled at the state and the Centre for the maximum period, but what is the result. I feel sorry at the thinking of UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. Both have no respect for Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. Yadav says construction of memorials and monuments in the name of Dalit icons is misuse of money, and this indicates his mind-set,” she added.
The former Chief Minister chided the SP for the growing crime rate and rising incidents of communal violence.