BJP and its organisations are causing communal problems in India: Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, expressed concern over rising communal tensions in some parts of the country, saying that the BJP and some of its groups appear to be bent on fomenting communal problems in India.

During the 2023 assembly polls, the NCP intends to contest a limited number of seats, especially in north Karnataka, and will consult with secular parties about how to ensure that 'secular votes' will not get divided.

"As on today, the situation is quite serious in some parts of India. For instance, we had never heard of trouble during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, but now we have got information that in at least five to six states, there is lot of problem. There is a sort of communal tension," Pawar told reporters here.

The reason for this situation is that the total approach of the BJP and some of its organisations seems to be about creating communal problems in India, he alleged.

In addition, the central government needs to be very effective and take strong measures, he added saying that "....what happened in Delhi in the last two days, the feedback that I have received is that certain sections have been targeted... Unfortunately, when we speak about Delhi, the law and order there is not with (Delhi CM Arvind) Kejriwal. It is the responsibility of the central government, and it has to see to it that there is no communal trouble."

Having recently received a communication from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about organizing a meeting of secular parties and non-BJP leaders to oppose communal forces, Pawar said that discussions are underway on the issue.

Clashes had broken out during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in the Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on Saturday in which nine policemen and a civilian were injured.