Political rivalry behind Rampur incident

Tension gripped the former principality of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh today after a statue of Jan Sangh leader Deen Dayal Upadhyaya here was "damaged and shifted", allegedly by supporters of a state minister.

Although the matter has acquired a BJP versus Samajwadi Party tone, insiders insist that it has more to do with the rivalry between UP Minister for Urban development and Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan and the Minister of State for Minority Welfare Haji Yakub Qureshi.

BJP activists alleged that Azam Khan's supporters were behind the incident that occurred last night. Police Superintendent BD Paulson said an FIR had been lodged and the matter was being investigated. While BJP workers demanded the arrest of those responsible for the damage, Azam Khan's supporters denied their involvement.

Sources in the SP insist that the two muslim ministers are vying to be the next big minority leader. Both want to strengthen their base, and what better way than to take on the saffron BJP.

While Azam Khan enjoys the confidence of the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Qureshi is said to be close to senior SP leader Amar Singh.

Azam Khan has been piqued ever since Qureshi was given the charge of minority welfare. A few weeks ago, Qureshi's relatives had alleged that Khan had threatened them with physical harm.

The BJP has accused Azam Khan of the deed. This is because Khan had threatened to remove the statue in the past as well. No comment was forthcoming from Khan today.

Rampur constituency is represented by filmstar and SP member Jaya Prada, who had defeated Begum Noor Bano of the Congress, wife of the erstwhile Nawab of Rampur.

The BJP, already looking for an emotive issue to get out of its ideological crisis, reacted strongly to the destruction of the statue. They alleged that it was an attempt by the SP to foment communal tension in the state.

The party would hold a rally in Rampur on Wednesday to protest against the incident, BJP Vice-President and former Rampur MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

"This is a very serious issue. The BJP rank and file are up in arms across the state and the party condemns this heinous incident," he said.