A day after Rahul Gandhi visited the Katra village in Badaun to meet family members of two girls who were gang raped and then murdered, political leaders made a beeline to this village with Mayawati reiterating her party’s demand to impose President’s rule in the state saying it was return of jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh.
“It seems that the state government is not able to control law and order situation. It is better for the state that Akhilesh Yadav should resign. If he fails to do so Governor should recommend President’s rule in the state,” Mayawati said in Badaun after meeting family members on Sunday.
She said that the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government should also take an initiative in this direction. During election campaign Modi had promised people get UP rid of this jungle raj. Time has come for him to redeem his pledge. She said.
The day saw continuous inflow of VVIPs which started with local MP Dharmendra Yadav, who also happens to be nephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mayawati and former lok Sabha Meira Kumar followed suit.
BSP chief who had earlier demanded CBI probe into the incident said that her visit was aimed at highlighting the plights of dalits under this Government. The Government and ruling party leaders try to purchase these dalits but they have refused taking any monetary help from the Government.
“The family members told me that the local MP came this morning and offered compensation and all help, but they refused. They told that whatever I will give them, they will accept,” she said after meeting the family members. “The BSP has decided to give Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of victims,” she said.
Mayawati said that she generally does not visit the family members of such incidents because “this gives the ruling party an opportunity levelling false allegations.”
“But when I came to know that there was an attempt to protect the criminals I decided to visit this place,” she said. She threatened that if “atrocities” were committed on the people here in the future, she would stage a sit-in in protest.
When asked about Government’s decision to transfer officials she said that suspensions and transfers were not the remedy. The Government should take action against Samajwadi Party Goons and leaders. The way Samajwadi party leaders have shielded rapists and leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav have given statements it had emboldened the criminals, she said.
Earlier local MP Dharmendra Yadav visited Katra village and met family victims. “Our Government did what was possible. All the accused have been arrested and culprit officers have been sacked. The Government has also recommended a CBI probe into the matter and the ball in Centre’s court to take action against the guilty,” he said. Former lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar also visited the family members.