Azam Khan, Sanjeev Baliyan engage in war of words

RAMPUR (UTTAR PRADESH): Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and BJP MP Sanjeev Baliyan were locked in war of words, with both accusing each other of indulging in communal politics.

In a statement issued yesterday, Khan alleged that BJP president Amit Shah and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat have been repeatedly targeting the Muslim community.

He also lashed out at right-wing groups for "praising" Nathuram Godse.

Hitting back, Baliyan alleged that "Azam Khan is responsible for communal riots in Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar."

"Khan is incharge of Muzaffarnagar but since the occurrence of riots he has not visited the district," Baliyan told reporters near Kalsa village about 60 kms from Rampur.

He also said that as a very responsible minister in the state Cabinet, Khan should not make statements like the one he made on Mulayam Singh Yadav's birthday celebration that it was funded by the Taliban.