Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has written to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, asking why rape-accused minister Gayatri Prajapati is has a place in his cabinet. Mr Prajapati has been accused of gang-raping a women for two years and a case was registered against him following the orders of the Supreme Court and his passport was revoked. In face of a possible arrest, the Samajwadi Party candidate from high profile Amethi has gone missing.
“His remaining a minister in the cabinet and no action being taken against him raises serious questions on democratic sanctity, constitutional integrity and morality,” read a communique from the Governor’s House. The Samajwadi Party has been caught in a catch 22 situation over Mr Prajapati. The opposition BJP and BSP have been continuously blaming the state’s ruling party for the free run Mr Prajapati is getting. Mayawati has called it a “weakness” of Akhilesh Yadav and BJP’s Smriti Irani has called the party a “protector of rapists”.
Since the rape case was filed against him, the opposition BJP and BSP have been continuously blaming the state’s ruling party for the free run Mr Prajapati is getting – pushing the Chief Minister to cancel a programme where the two were expected to share dais.
The Samajwadi Party leaders indicate that there are concerns that Mr Prajapati’s arrest may further play into the hands of the opposition amid the mammoth seven-phase assembly elections in the state.
