To revive their political fortunes, parties make a beeline for riot-hit Muzaffarnagar

Even as Western Uttar Pradesh convalesces from bloody riots, which have drawn a wedge between Jats and Muslims, political parties are out to score points and review its fall-out on their political fortunes.

Many believe that the Congress party’s ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) led by union minister Ajit Singh would take a big beating, as it had been counting on the combined support of the Jats and the Muslims in the region to swell the kitty of the UPA. A day after UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav toured the riot-hit Muzaffarnagar district, it was the turn of prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday to show their presence to the victims and the people in various relief camps.

According to reports, 60,000 people mostly from rural Kandhla, Shamli and Baghpat areas have been forced out of their homes.

Soon after the PM and Congress leaders returned to Delhi, the Centre blamed the UP government for failing to stop the riots despite warnings.  

In a first direct attack on the Samajwadi Party, union minister of state for home affairs, RPN Singh said people have lost faith in the local dispensation. “It was extremely distressing to hear people saying they have completely lost faith in the state government. They said they felt secure only after arrival of central forces and the army,” he said after returning to Delhi.

At a camp housing displaced Muslim families, while the PM had to listen to complaints against the local police who failed to protect them, people talked about Kandhla SO Harish Chandra Joshi who saved many people at the cost of his own life.

Such was the anger that at village Tawli, a young man wanted to know why the police didn’t help them and were now in abundance to protect the VIPs.

“We told the PM, Soniaji and Rahulji that we will not go back. Talk to anyone and they will say the same thing. There is no guarantee of life to our families... everything has been looted or burnt so how can we go back,” the people were quoted telling to Sonia Gandhi.

At a relief camp, the PM assured the victims that the Centre would provide all assistance to the state government while adding that those behind the clashes should be punished.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi called this visit as nothing more than secular tourism. “After many days the chief minister visited the place, now the PM will visit and so will Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” he said. He also added that the BJP also wanted to visit the area but they were not given the permission.