SP leader ST Hasan sparked controversy by linking religion to Uttarakhand disaster, claiming there is "no respect for people of other religions" in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. "I believe...religious sites, whether mosques, dargahs or temples shouldn't be bulldozed," he added. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla termed Hasan's remark as "vote bank-inspired" and "an insult to the victims".