Kairana was raised to decide theme for UP polls, alleges Congress

New Delhi:  The Congress on Friday alleged that the BJP was stoking the issue of migration from Kairana to decide its "theme" for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. "Kairana was raised to decide the issues on which they (Bharatiya Janata Party) would contest in the elections in Uttar Pradesh," Congress leader R.P.N. Singh said at a press conference here. Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in early 2017. "Kairana was not a issue because it was raised by one of its MPs. But it became an issue as it was discussed at the party National Executive meeting in Allahabad where the Prime Minister, party president and all cabinet ministers were present," he said. "And when the BJP's National Executive mentions Kairana, it is indicative of the nature of their politics in UP," he added. Launching an attack on the Central government, Singh said, "They talk about nationalism and terrorism. But what do we see? Home ministry officials tutoring witnesses on the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case." "It is done so that Congress is seen in bad light and truth is suppressed," the Congress leader alleged. Singh also questioned the "silence" of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue. Taking a dig at the Central government, Singh said, "Over the last two years, they (BJP) have responded to every issue by simply engaging in diversionary tactics." "Where is good governance? Where is development?" the Congress leader questioned and wondered at the government's silence on the issues of farmers suicide, unemployment. BJP MP Hukum Singh had claimed mass exodus of Hindu families from Kairana. After local authorities denied any migration, the BJP MP on June 14 said the exodus was not a communal issue but of law and order.