BJP using riots as tool to win polls; tension created on loudspeaker issue: Sanjay Raut

There have never been riots during Ram Navmi and Hanuman Jayanti before, he said

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday accused the estranged ally BJP of using communal riots as a "tool" to win polls and instigate communal strife in parts of Maharashtra and the country.

He also insinuated that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has been doing BJP's bidding by raising the issue of loudspeakers atop mosques.

"In Mumbai, you have already created tensions over the loudspeaker issue. There are many cities where such a situation exists and this is hurting the country's economy. This hurts FDI and domestic investment. This instils fear among the labour class," Mr. Raut told reporters.

He was referring to the recent demand by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and some BJP leaders for the removal of loudspeakers atop the mosques.

Raj Thackeray had asked the State government to get loudspeakers atop mosques removed by May 3, failing which his party would play Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside mosques

This demand has led to the State government directing its top police officials to formulate guidelines to deal with the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes.

The demand by the MNS comes ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other civic polls.