Mathura violence: Don't take names sans proof, Shivpal Yadav to BJP

ETAWAH: Accepting that there "might be administrative lapse" in Mathura, where 29 people, including two policemen, were killed, Uttar Pradesh minister Shivpal Yadav today said BJP should not take any name without "proof".

"There might be administrative lapse in Mathura. The inquiry is underway and those patronising such people (scrupulous elements, encroachers) won't be spared," he said.

Reacting strongly to allegations levelled against him by BJP chief Amit Shah over the violence, Yadav said the party should not take any name without proof.

He also said Samajwadi Party is against "scrupulous elements and encroachers" and the state government has given directions against them.

"BJP leaders should not make any statement holding anyone responsible without any proof," Shivpal said, when asked of the BJP chief's statement yesterday in which he had held him responsible for the violence and sought his resignation.

Shivpal had yesterday accused the BJP of indulging in "dirty politics" after it had attacked the SP government in the state for the violence.

He said BJP should not forget that its state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya was allegedly involved in various criminal cases and has a "tainted" image.

In Lucknow too, senior party leader Ambika Chowdhury said BJP leaders should "give a proof to corroborate their allegations against him (Shivpal)".

He also raised allegations against BJP president for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots.