With the arrest of BJP MLA Suresh Rana for making “hate speeches” which led to the Muzaffarnagar riots, the saffron outfit is now expected to make a strong pitch to consolidate the Jat and Hindu votebank by playing its tried and tested Hindutva card.
The BJP has already swung into action by describing the arrest as a deal between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. BJP chief Rajnath Singh is expected to visit Muzaffarnagar on Saturday.
The first political arrest in the Muzaffarnagar riots case could now be used by the saffron brigade to polarise the votebank in Uttar Pradesh on communal lines. Also the party’s spin doctors feel that the Jats could shift allegiance to the BJP, leaving virtually no space for the Ajit Singh-led RLD.
BJP MLA Suresh Rana was arrested by the Lucknow police on Friday evening, barely an hour after the Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die, for making provocative speeches that led to the Muzaffarnagar riots and also for violating prohibitory orders. Mr Rana was arrested from near Ambedkar Nagar Park while he was moving from the BJP state headquarters to his Gomti Nagar residence. He was taken to the Gomti Nagar police station and then whisked off to the state guesthouse on Mirabai Marg. “The manner in which they have arrested me is usually reserved for a criminal and not a legislator. I am not perturbed and I will fight against this injustice,” he said.
However, the BJP leaders feel that the arrest “would expose” the SP’s and the Congress’ moves to “appease the minority community” for votebank