Akhilesh says BJP, BSP playing politics over rape

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the BJP and BSP of trying to derive political advantage over the gang rape of a woman and her minor daughter

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the BJP and BSP of trying to derive political advantage over the gang rape of a woman and her minor daughter near Bulandshahr, seeking to deflect criticism over alleged lawlessness in the state.

HT Image

The Samajwadi Party government has come under attack from opposition parties after the gang rape on Friday night sent shock-waves across the country and raised questions over the law and order scene in the poll-bound state.

“I want to know what kind of politics the BJP leaders, including Union ministers, are trying to play? What kind of political suggestions are they (BJP leaders) giving to the victims’ family?” the chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of a programme at the Raj Bhawan.

He described the incident as “painful and shameful” and said the government has acted fast to nab some of the accused.

He linked the criticism of his government to the forthcoming elections and said the opposition parties were playing politics over the gang rape case after failing to corner the government.

Though leaders of all political parties have made a beeline to meet the two survivors, the chief minister was yet to visiting the family which has threatened suicide if police fail to “deliver justice” within three months.

Sources said Yadav cancelled a planned visit after the family criticised one of his ministers and senior SP leader Azam Khan who said “whether people, with the opposite ideology or those who want to come to power, are behind this incident in order tom align the government”.

Khan later said his comments were “miscontrued”.

The chief minister did not criticise Khan for the comment but instead chose to accuse central ministers of “conspiring against the Samajwadi Party”.

Yadav said his government was ready to hand over the case to CBI as demanded by opposition parties.

“We will also make a request for trial of the case in fast track court. We acted promptly and sent senior officers to monitor the situation. We also acted against the officers who did not respond to the situation.”