BJP Using Riots As Tool To Win Polls, Creating Tensions On Loudspeaker Issue: Sena's Sanjay Raut

Raut additionally sought to link the recent riots in Delhi with the civic body polls in the capital and pointed fingers at the BJP.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut during press conference (File photo: getty)

New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for incitement of violence in the national capital Delhi to win municipal elections.

He further said that before this there were no riots in the country on Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami. Significantly, there was violence in Delhi's Jahangirpuri on Saturday on Hanuman Jayanti. Many policemen were also injured.

"In Mumbai, you have already created tensions over the loudspeaker issue. There are many cities where such a situation exists and this is hurting the country's economy. This hurts FDI and domestic investment. This instils fear among the labour class," Raut told reporters.

He was alluding to the new demand by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and some BJP leaders for the removal of loudspeakers atop the mosques.

Raj Thackeray had requested that the state government get loudspeakers on mosques eliminated by May 3, failing which his party would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside mosques.

This request has prompted the state government to guide its top police authorities to figure out rules to manage the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes.

The demand by the MNS comes in front of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic polls.

"They (the BJP) have to win polls through riots and do politics. This is the misfortune of the country. It is not concerned about the country, its crores of people, farmers and the working class," Raut added.

Raut additionally sought to link the recent riots in Delhi with the civic body polls in the capital and pointed fingers at the BJP.

"Delhi is UT. The law-and-order is taken care of by the Center. But since the last few days, there have been riots. The reason behind this is the civic body polls. The polling has been delayed because you fear defeat. Now, that you know that you are losing the polls, you have created tensions," Raut added.

(With PTI inputs)