M A I N   N E W S

It just got seedier in UP
BJP releases a provocative ad

Lucknow, April 11
Close on the heels of the CD released as part of its poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh that raised controversy, the BJP has published a communally sensitive advertisement in some newspapers in Uttar Pradesh.

The advertisement was released in some Hindi dailies published from different cities in western Uttar Pradesh, where the second phase of the staggered assembly elections is due on April 13 — and allegedly sought to label Islamic seminaries as “centres of terrorist activity”.

Apparently drawing parallel to Pakistan, the advertisement shows a locality with green flags hoisted from every housetop, along with a slogan questioning the “intentions” of madrasas. The slogan reads: “Kya in madrasson ke irade pak hain?” (are the intentions of these madrassas genuine?)

Reports reaching from Aligarh said senior BJP leaders “see nothing wrong with the advertisement.” Party vice-president Kalyan Singh, who was in the fray from that district, was seen telling a TV channel, “there is nothing objectionable about the advertisement.” Singh alleged: “The increasing popularity of the BJP has become a cause of worry for all other parties, whose leaders were now looking for ways to seek de-recognition of the BJP by making mountain out of a mole hill.” He was also critical of the Congress, the ruling Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Left parties for their condemnation of the controversial CD earlier released by the BJP as a part of its poll campaign. — IANS