Azam’s conspiracy remark sparks row in poll-bound state

LUCKNOW: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan’s comments that the Bulandshahr highway gang rape was a “political conspiracy” has kicked

LUCKNOW: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan’s comments that the Bulandshahr highway gang rape was a “political conspiracy” has kicked up a storm in the state ahead of next year’s assembly elections.

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“It must be checked if the ghastly incident is the handiwork of those who want to gain power in the state by tarnishing the image of this government,” Khan said in Rampur on Saturday.

In the politically crucial UP, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to dislodge SP — a formidable regional power. The BSP is also a strong contender in the elections, while the Congress too aims to make an impact.

“When innocent people can be murdered for political gains, when Gujarat and Muzaf far na ga r can happen, when Shamli and Kairana can happen… It is not just a matter of two rapes. It is important to know the truth,” Khan was seen as saying in a video that has been widely circulated on social media.

SP has come under attack by opposition leaders such as BSP chief Mayawati who say CM Akhilesh Yadav must resign for his failure to protect the people.

The Congress and the BJP demanded that Khan should be sacked for making the outrageous remark, even as the ruling Samajwadi Party leaders appeared to be at a loss for words in defending their leader.

“What can I say about it? I would not like to comment on what our senior leader has said,” SP leader CP Rai said.

The BJP described Khan’s comments as “outlandish and highly objectionable.”

“It is like rubbing salt on the wounds of the traumatised family,” state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said. Congress too reacted sharply. “What can you expect from a party whose leaders have been caught on camera defending rape as ‘bacchon ki galti’ (mistakes of childhood)?” Satyadeo Tripathi, head of Congress’s communication department, said.

However, chairperson of the State Commission for Women, Zarina Usmani, said the chief minister acted promptly.