Riot-accused BJP candidates Sanjeev Baliyan from Muzaffarnagar and Bharatendu Singh contesting from Bijnore Lok Sabha constituencies on Tuesday got a shot in the arm with Yoga guru Ramdev campaigning for them.
Flanked by both the candidates at a press meet in Muzaffarnagar, Mr. Ramdev said, the BJP has promised to usher in a corruption-free, developed country, besides recovering the black money stashed away by Indians in Swiss bank accounts.
Mr. Baliyan and Mr. Bharatendu are out on bail in connection with the Muzaafarnagar riot cases. BJP has fielded another accused Hukum Singh for Kairana Lok Sabha seat.
Two cases each are pending against Mr. Hukum and Mr. Baliyan, according to affidavits filed during their nominations. After an FIR was filed against Mr. Bharatendu during the riots, he was arrested and sent to jail. He was later released on bail.
The communal violence, which had broken out on September 7, last year in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining towns, had claimed 67 lives. It left 85 others injured and rendered 51,000 people homeless.
