Yogi Adityanath plays religious card, says ‘change timing of Muharram procession, not Durga Puja’

Adityanath's statement came just days before nine seats are scheduled to go to polls in West Bengal on May 19.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (Photo | PTI)

BARASAT (West Bengal): Seeking to play the religious card, Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday alleged that the West Bengal government tried to ban Durga Puja to accommodate Muharram procession.

"In the whole country, Durga Puja and Muharram fell on the same day. In UP, officers asked me, should we change the timing of puja? I said the timing of the puja won't be changed if you want to change the timing, change the timing of Muharram procession," he said.

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UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Barasat, West Bengal: In whole country, Durga puja & Muharram fell on same day, in UP officers asked me, should we change timing of puja? I said, timing of the puja won't be changed, if you want to change timing, change the timing of Muharram procession. pic.twitter.com/diXyfvZ3n9

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2019

Later addressing a press conference, Yogi Adityanath said Banerjee was against idol worship and had attempted to ban Durga Puja twice which she could not succeed.

Adityanath's statement came just days before nine seats are scheduled to go to polls in West Bengal on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

(With inputs from ANI)