RAMPUR: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has accused the BJP of “creating communal tensions” in Uttar Pradesh by raking up Ram Mandir issue ahead of 2017 polls, saying the party will face the “worst” defeat in the elections following drubbing in Delhi and Bihar.

The national general secretary of the party on Sunday warned people to remain extremely vigilant as “the BJP has launched a poisonous communal campaign by exploiting Ram Mandir issue to grab power in the coming elections.”

“They (BJP) remind, remember and cry about Ram Mandir when elections approach and forget the issue after elections are over. The BJP is habitual of creating communal tensions and take the major communities on the path of riots,” he said. If they (BJP) were followers of Lord Ram in real sense, then they should practice renunciation and not conspire to grab power on fictitious and malicious grounds, U.P.’s Urban Development Minister said. Mr Khan said the BJP has been toeing the Congress’s policies and it too would place the outfit in the marsh, as “this has been proved in the outcome of Delhi and Bihar elections and it will further be established in Gujarat Assembly polls.” “The BJP shall not succeed in transforming its dream of grabbing power in U.P. and face a drubbing worse than in Delhi and Bihar. Hence, it should abstain from creating chaotic conditions in the States where elections will take place soon,” the Cabinet minister added. — PTI