Mathura, exodus from Kairana dominate BJP national executive meet

ALLAHABAD: Popular for its music "gharana", small town Kairana in Shamli district and Lord Krishna's playground Mathura hogged the limelight during the BJP national executive which commenced here on Sunday. However, neither 'swaras' (musical notes) of Kairana families nor Krishna-Leelas of Mathura were the subject of debate for the political outfit.

On the contrary, BJP members debated highly sensitive and polarising issues related to the two places, which saw strong words coming from party president Amit Shah with enough indications about the tone and tenor campaigning in Uttar Pradesh will take.

"UP government's denial about existence of Kairana issue explains failure of the government machinery," telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who briefed media about Shah's speech to the national executive, said.

Meerut MP Hukum Singh had recently given to NHRC a list of 350 Hindu families which migrated from Kairana due to alleged persecution by Muslims in the past two years. The national executive pledged to take the issue to its logical end. "We are raising these issues related to UP to highlight the prevailing law and order situation," Prasad said.

While the party focused on development during its previous national executive in New Delhi in March, UP has been the major inclusion this time, keeping in view the forthcoming assembly polls in the most populous state.

The BJP has been aggressive about the Mathura violence in which 29 people, including two police officers, were killed. 'Bose cult' leader Ram Vriksha Yadav's alleged association with Mulayam Singh Yadav's family has been raked up repeatedly.

The national executive too took it up, showing the party will continue to attack the ruling SP in the state, highlighting grave lapses in governance and patronage of anti-social elements.