JNU row: Shiv Sena criticises Congress, SP

MUMBAI: Amid the ongoing JNU row, the Shiv Sena today hit out at the Congress and SP, saying that the recent Assembly bypoll results in various states reflect that people have rejected the idea of politicians backing the students indulging in protests.

"After looking at the results of byelections, it is clear that the 'tamasha' (Congress Vice-President) Rahul Gandhi indulged in Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad Central University is unacceptable to the people," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"Those (students) supporting Yakub Memon in Hyderabad University and Afzal Guru in Jawaharlal Nehru University are a threat to the nation. Those (politicians) supporting them (students) have lost in bypolls of seven states," the ruling alliance partner said.

Notably, the BJP and its allies made gains in the Assembly bye-elections held recently, winning seven of the 12 seats in eight states as the party inflicted blows on ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and Congress in Karnataka.

Mocking the Samajwadi Party for losing 2 out of 3 seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Sena said people have started putting an end to caste-based politics, and pointed out that Muslim appeasement also did not help the SP.

"The results have laid bare the discontent of people towards the (Akhilesh) Yadav government. They had invited Pakistani artists to appease Muslim vote bank. But nothing, including the hate speeches, worked for the party. People have started putting an end to caste-based politics," it said.