Azam Khan says he is getting threats, to approach President Pranab Mukherjee against Governor Ram Naik

RAMPUR: Stepping up attack, Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan today accused Governor Ram Naik of vitiating the atmosphere in the state at the behest of BJP government at the Centre and said he will approach President Pranab Mukherjee to apprise him of Naik's actions.

Khan, who has been locked in a war of words with the Governor, claimed he was receiving threats because of Naik's statements. The senior Samajwadi Party leader alleged that the Governor was "acting and behaving like 'kar sevaks' who were responsible for the demolition of Babri mosque".

"Ram Naik had been holding a pivotal position in RSS and he has been spoiling the congenial and peaceful atmosphere of UP," he told reporters last evening.

Khan alleged that Naik was trying to defame UP government and the Muslim community.

"I and my family members are in danger. We are under the shadow of fear. I am receiving threatening letters and phone calls," said the senior minister, who is Chancellor and founder of Mohd. Ali Jauhar University

"We are proceeding with a sacred mission to educate young generation of Muslim community and that mission of ours has become the cause of annoyance for governor and he was defaming UP government and the members of the community," he alleged.

Khan said he would meet President Pranab Mukherjee to apprise him about the Governor's actions.

Hitting out at the central government, he said, "It is the present dispensation's venture to spoil the atmosphere through the governors appointed by it."

"He (Naik) has been spoiling the congenial and peaceful atmosphere of UP....The democratic norms were severely hurt by Delhi's Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung who avoided holding of elections for full one year. Bihar has become a stage for the vulgar display where Kesri Nath Tripathi happens to be at the helm of affairs.

"It was during Tripathi's speakership when bloody scenes had emerged in the state assembly and the same Tripathi now intends to destroy Bihar's atmosphere," Khan alleged.

Khan had recently written a four-page letter to Naik in which he had accused the Governor of having a "continued negative" approach against him and making "politically motivated" statements on the vexed Ayodhya issue.

Terming Azam Khan's letter as "inappropriate", Naik yesterday said he would respond to the minister's allegations through Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.