Party MLAs booked in UP riots case to target BJP: Rajnath

BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana arrested for their alleged role in fanning communal violence

BJP President Rajnath Singh today alleged that party MLAs Sangeet Som and Suresh Rana have been booked in connection with last month Muzaffarnagar riots to target the party.
    
The Ghaziabad MP told reporters here that the riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas were a result of Uttar Pradesh government's "failure to prevent the violence".
    
Both Som and Rana have been arrested for their alleged role in fanning the communal violence which left 62 persons dead and rendered 40,000 homeless. Som is also accused of uploading a video which reportedly sparked the tension.
    

On the formation of a Third Front, the BJP chief said: "Attempts to form a Third Front have been made earlier as well, but they all failed. This time too it will not be any different."

    
On Congress expressing discomfiture over singer Lata Mangeshkar's praise for BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Singh said it was unfortunate that Congress leaders were commenting on an opinion expressed by someone considered a legend in the country.
    
Congress spokespersoon Bhakta Charan Das had today said, "The entire country respects Lata Mangeshkar. Congress party has always respected her. There is pain and sensitivity in the voice of Lataji...When something like this comes out from her mouth for an insensitive person like Narendra Modi, the entire country feels the pain."