JOIN USIn what could be a huge embarrassment for the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP, a senior leader of the party virtually threatened the members of Muslim community of serious consequences if they did not support his wife, who was in the fray for the post of the chairperson of a municipality, in the forthcoming local body polls.
''You (Muslims) may have to face a lot of difficulties...no one can save you...it is in your interest to vote for the BJP,'' senior BJP leader Ranjit Bahadur Srivastava reportedly said while addressing a public meeting in Barabanki town, about 40 km from here.
Srivastava's utterances came to light, when a video purportedly containing his speech, went viral on the social networking sites.
In the video Srivastava, whose wife Shashi Srivastava is contesting for the post of chairperson of Barabanki Municipality, could be heard telling the community members that they would be ''happy'' if they supported the BJP nominee.
He is also heard telling them that no development work would be undertaken in their localities if they did not vote for his wife.
Incidentally his outbursts came in the presence of two state ministers, who were also there.
As the rival candidates lodged a complaint with the police in this regard, police said that they were examining the content of the video and would take appropriate action.
The opposition parties have demanded stern action against Srivastava and disqualification of his wife. ''It shows the true character of the BJP....it can go to any extent for votes,'' said an SP leader.
The saffron party leader's words came at a time, when the BJP had been trying hard to woo the muslim community. The party has given tickets to around three dozen muslims in the local body polls.