Poster of UP BJP Chief Keshav Maurya as Lord Krishna stokes controversy

A poster of UP BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya in Varanasi depicting him as 'Lord Krishna' and other politicians including Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as 'Kauravas' stoked a controversy with SP accusing BJP of hurting the religious sentiments of the people and trying to tarnish the image of Yadav.

The poster, which went viral on the social media, was released ahead of the visit of its State BJP president to the temple city on Friday by some men. However, BJP distanced itself from it and denied that it has any association with the controversial poster.

BJP MLC Laxman Acharya said BJP has nothing to do with the poster and the party is always against such things. The poster carries the name of one Rupesh Pandey in the bottom right corner, who had allegedly issued this poster.

Samajwadi Party leader Manoj Rai Dhoopchandi accused the BJP of using symbols of Gods and Goddesses to fan communal tension. He claimed that the poster has hurt the religious sentiments of people of this holy city.

The SP leader alleged that the poster was an attempt by BJP to tarnish the image of UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders.