No riots during BSP rule as they were hand-in-glove with BJP: Azam

The State Assembly witnessed noisy scenes as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan on Tuesday alleged that communal riots did not take place during the previous Bahujan Samaj Party government as they were hand in gloves with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Replying to notices of adjournment motion over the poor law and order situation in the state, Khan remarked: "I admit that riots have taken place during my government. Riots did not occur during the previous BSP and BJP regimes because these parties were hand in glove. Riots don't occur in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and when the BSP rules UP. Both parties work in tandem."

Amid protests by both BSP and BJP members, Khan said: "People understand who instigates riots. I am saying this with full authority. I have the CD of Faizabad violence. If the Speaker gives me permission, I can show it on a projector inside the Assembly. Everything will be clear."

His remarks created a furore, with Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya retorting: "You talk too much about the Babri Masjid but your leader Mulayam Singh even welcomed Kalyan Singh publicly." Maurya also asked Khan to show the Faizabad CD, or admit that the government lacked the courage to act.

Khan, meanwhile, defended the state government's move to withdraw terror cases. Referring to opposition criticism, he said: "You people are saying things in disguise. It should be openly said that the government is taking back cases against Muslims. In the Rampur CRPF case, I cannot reveal the IB report in the House, else you will know that those implicated are innocent. To the BJP members, I will just inform them that all accused are not Muslims, there are Hindus also."

Dissatisfied, both BSP and BJP walked out of the House.

... contd.

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