SP,Cong spoiling harmony in state: Naqvi

On the eve of VHP’s 84-kosi parikrama,the BJP organised an Eid Milan at party headquarters in Lucknow Saturday. The function is being seen as a follow-up of BJP’s election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi’s directive to the party cadre to reach out to Muslims. Organised by the party’s minority wing,the event was marked by a performance by renowned singer Padma Gidwani. The event was attended by party national vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi,state president Laxmikant Bajpai,senior leader Kalraj Mishra,Rajya Sabha member Kusum Rai,state vice-president Shiv Paratap Shukla, MLA Suresh Khanna among others. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mishra recalled party slogan: “Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas”.

VHP asks state to stop harassment or face consequences

The VHP Saturday warned the state government of dire consequences if it did not stop detaining saints and VHP workers who are on their way to Ayodhya to take part in the 84-kosi parikrama.

In a statement,VHP patron Ashok Singhal said given that only 200 saints had to take part in padyatra every day during the 20-day programme,there was no possibility of any law and order problem. “But the state government has made heavy deployment of security forces to create panic across the state.” Singhal added that the state government will be held responsible for any law and order situation following the ban on VHP yatra.