Gorakhpur, Jul 12 (PTI) A political row erupted after a controversial poster put up by the Samajwadi Party (SP) here over alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple led to the arrest of three persons including a party leader.
Police on Saturday sent SP leader Arvind Upendra Shukla to jail following his arrest in connection with a banner displayed at Shastri Chowk.
The poster allegedly carried slogans targeting the BJP-led Centre and Uttar Pradesh government.
A case was registered on a complaint by Shastri Chowk police outpost in-charge Ghanshyam Upadhyay. Besides Shukla, labourer Bharat Nishad and painter Ramchandra Maurya, were arrested in this connection and sent to jail. “Following information about the controversial posters, all such banners were removed. Those responsible for displaying them without permission were identified and legal action has been taken against them,” said Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Nimish Patil.
According to SP district president Brijesh Gautam, Ballia MP Sanatan Pandey will visit Gorakhpur on Monday to meet the jailed leader and other arrestees, and their family members. Calling the police action “politically motivated”, Gautam said the administration was irked as the poster exposed the “true face” of the ‘double-engine’ government.
“There are numerous posters across the city, displayed without permission on poles and across public places, but no action is taken against them. We will pursue all legal remedies to secure the release of the arrested workers,” he said, adding that SP will also launch an agitation against corruption and deteriorating law and order in the state.
Arvind Upendra Shukla is elder son of late Upendra Dutt Shukla, a senior BJP leader who had served as the party’s state vice-president.
Shukla joined the Samajwadi Party around five years ago. PTI COR ABN ARB ARB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.