CPI-ML wants probe against BJP, BSP for Varanasi clashes

Lucknow, March 14 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) Saturday urged the Uttar pradesh Election Commission to probe the alleged role of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Wednesday's communal clashes in Varanasi that claimed two lives.

'Based on the information gathered by our activists, BJP and BSP had a role in provoking riots in Varanasi,' CPI-ML state unit head Sudhakar Yadav told reporters here.

'We believe the clash was their attempt to create communal polarisation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls,' he alleged.

Veteran BJP leader and former central minister Murli Manohar Joshi is the party's candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency while Mukhtar Ansari is the BSP's nominee.

Two people were killed and at least seven injured as police opened fire on clashing groups in Varanasi.