MUMBAI: In a fresh attack on the Narendra Modi government, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday claimed the Centre was conspiring with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to instigate riots ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in its bid to win votes by polarising the country along religious lines. Thackeray said the BJP was resorting to the "Hindu-Muslim politics" as it has no issue for the upcoming general elections, due in April-May next year.

He alleged the BJP and the AIMIM may instigate riots on the issue of Ram temple.

"There is a conspiracy to instigate riots in the country by colluding with (Asaduddin) Owaisi. This government is left with nothing to say and so votes will be asked for by instigating riots between Hindu and Muslims in the nation. They have no other option left," Thackeray said while addressing a gathering in Vikhroli.

Further remarking on the Ram Temple, he said, "I had said that the Ram Temple should be built, but I am not rigid about it being built before the elections. I will not mind if it is constructed post elections."

Thackeray also hit out Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his recent controversial comment on Lord Hanuman, where he claimed that Hanuman was a Dalit.

Thackeray also came out in support of the statement he gave on Sunday in which he had asserted that youth from Maharashtra should be given priority if there is any job opportunity in the state and not the north Indian community and migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "What I said is true, these are the real problems of Maharashtra. The state is pressurised because of migrants. The unemployment in the state is increasing and this is a matter of concern."

(With inputs from ANI)