Senior Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui, believed to be a close aide of party chief party chief Mayawati, on Monday held a rally in Meerut and attacked the Samajwadi Party for encouraging “goonda raj” in the state.
According to a Times of India report, Siddiqui claimed that SP workers were running riot in the state and said that his party would “legally avenge” the murder of BSP leader Nasir Khan, who was shot dead by a motorcycle-borne assailant on Friday evening in Khair Nagar area.
Samajwadi Party leader Rahman Saifi has been arrested in connection with the murder.
Siddiqui went on target the Centre over the demonetisation drive and claimed that his party was “formulating a strategy” to lead an agitation against demonetisation and was seeking suggestions from the public as well.
He said that the party is “awaiting instructions from Behenji (Mayawati)” and her words would be final.
“There is goonda raj in the state under the leadership of the Samajwadi Party. Goons are running riot and the state government has closed its eyes to their activities. In fact, they are providing shelter to these criminal elements. An example of this is how Nasir Khan, a member of our party, was shot dead in cold blood. When we come to power, we will avenge Khan's death but by legal means. We will bring the culprits to book,” Siqqiqui was quoted by Times of India as saying.
Furthermore, warning supporters to beware of BJP’s “false promises”, he said, “I want to tell you all not to fall into the BJP's traps. They plan to lure you with false promises. We all need to stay united and fight communalism.”