BJP star campaigner Yogi Adityanath's rally called off in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, Sep 10:

's most popular campaigner Yogi Adityanath cancels a rally as the State Government refuses permission.

According to officials, clashes were feared between workers from the BJP and the ruling Samajwadi Party, which was scheduled to hold its own rally nearby at the same time, reported media.

Election Commission questioned Adityanath about the alleged hate remarks made to voters ahead of by-elections to nine assembly seats and one parliamentary constituency.

In September last year, nearly 60 people were killed and 40,000 displaced after deadly Hindu-Muslim riots in western Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. Investigations found politicians across parties, including some from the BJP, had fueled violence with incendiary speeches.

Ahead of the by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, local BJP leaders have been trying to polarise voters through a campaign that alleges "love jihad" - a term used by right-wing groups for what they describe as an Islamist strategy to convert Hindu women through seduction, marriage and money.

The state BJP has also been referring to forced conversions as a campaign issue.

OneIndia News