Looks like the BJP and BSP are heading for another showdown in Uttar Pradesh. The Mayawati government today booked BJP MLA from Chilkahar in Ballia district, Ram Iqbal Singh, under the SC/ST Act. It also transferred the District Magistrate and SP, Ballia, who were directed by the Chief Minister to take action against the BJP MLA yesterday.The MLA has been fighting to restore a piece of land that reportedly belongs to a Dalit but has been usurped by BSP legislator from Rasra, Thuraram.Ram Iqbal has sent a written complaint to BJP chief M. Venkaiah Naidu highlighting his plight. The party may take up the issue at its national executive at Raipur.The row over the land snowballed into a major controversy yesterday after Chief Minister Mayawati laid a foundation stone for the Ambedkar Community Centre on the same piece of land while on a tour to the district.Local BSP workers, encouraged by the Chief Minister’s move, soon took out a procession, shouting slogans against Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and his deputy, L.K. Advani. This angered local BJP workers and what followed was a clash between the two sides who exchanged blows and brickbats. Over a dozen people were injured in the incident, sources said.‘‘Send the BJP MLA to jail if he does not mend his ways,’’ Mayawati told the local administration in Ballia yesterday.Following the clash, a company of PAC personnel and policemen have been deployed in Chilkahar as a precautionary measure.‘‘The situation is tense in Chilkahar and police personnel have been deployed there. The directives of the Chief Minister are clear, criminals have no place outside the jail. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the violence between the BJP and BSP workers and action against the BJP MLA will be taken if he’s found guilty,’’ Shreedhar Pathak, SP, Ballia, told The Indian Express yesterday.Ram Iqbal, however, said he will continue fighting for the Dalit’s cause. ‘‘I have not called it a day. I will continue to fight against the forcible possession of the land. I will also form a human chain outside the State Assembly soon to highlight the Dalit’s plight,’’ he said.Asked to comment on the issue, senior BJP leader and Urban Development Minister Lalji Tandon said: ‘‘The issue will be taken up with the CM.’’‘‘The CM should take note of the legislator’s status while running the coalition,’’ said another BJP legislator from Ballia and Minister of State for Food Bharat Singh.Meanwhile, the Bar Association in Ballia passed a resolution today, saying the Chief Minister was operating in a dictatorial manner and the lawyers were with the BJP legislator.
