Despite numerous calls for action against leaders who fuelled the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the speeches were ‘unfortunate’ but the government would focus on restoring calm first. In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN, the Chief Minister said he condemned the speeches made by multiple leaders, including from his own party, the Samajwadi Party. “The hate speeches are unfortunate. I condemn these speeches. But the government now needs to focus on those who have been affected by these riots, to reassure them that they are safe,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_1115061” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has promised action against those responsible for the riots. PTI[/caption] The Chief Minister also refused to put the blame for the riots on the poor management of the situation by the state government. He maintained that the riots were the result of planning by some political parties who hoped to gain from the communal violence. “Whatever happened in Muzaffarnagar started a long time ago. Several incidents happened and if you look closely you will realise that some people were carefully planning this kind of violence. Some political parties are intentionally trying to paint a communal picture,” Yadav said. The Uttar Pradesh CM also dodged a query on the calls for his resignation and on why the government had been more prompt in acting against IAS official Durga Shakti Nagpal than the communal riots.