'LK Advani's 'rath yatra' an attempt to disturb communal harmony'

The NCP and the RJD Sunday alleged that BJP leader LK Advani's rath yatra on the corruption issue was an attempt to disturb communal harmony and peace in the country.

"The BJP is out to vitiate peace and communal amity in the country through Advani's rath yatra with electoral benefits in the next parliamentary polls," NCP national general secretary Tariq Anwar told reporters here.

Describing Advani's crusade against corruption as 'uncalled for' and 'ill timed', the NCP leader said the former should have waited for the outcome of the proposed Lokpal bill being drafted by a parliamentary committee on the basis of several proposals submitted by the civil society.

He also rapped the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for giving his consent to flag off Advani's rath yatra from Sitab diara on October 11 next and regretted that Kumar has agreed to do so despite his open disagreement with the BJP's ideology.

"It (Advani's rath yatra) is an attempt to incite communal disharmony to which the RJD is opposed to," RJD Bihar unit president Ramchandra Purve told reporters here.

The RJD has decided to oppose Advani's rath yatra by taking out a protest march on October 11 under party national president Lalu Prasad, he said.