By IANS,
Lucknow : The opposition in Uttar Pradesh Thursday demanded sacking of state Rural Development Minister Daddu Prasad who, along with his personal assistant, has been accused of rape.
“One after the other, the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) ministers are being linked with criminal cases. Be it land grabbing or crimes against women, ministers are being named in all types of heinous crimes,” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak told reporters.
“Taking into account the grave charges against Prasad, Chief Minister Mayawati must sack him and order an inquiry at the earliest,” he added.
A 25-year-old woman from Bargadh village in Chitrakoot district of Bundelkhand has accused Prasad and his personal assistant Angad of rape.
The woman made the sensational disclosure Wednesday before a judicial magistrate in Chitrakoot.
While Angad has been arrested, police are yet to take any action against the minister.
The Samajwadi Party, the main opposition party in Uttar Pradesh, said an impartial probe can be conducted in the case only after the removal of Prasad as he would influence the investigating officials.
“One of the BSP legislators is already facing a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry for allegedly raping a girl in Banda,” Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told reporters.
“Now, with Prasad also coming under the scanner, it appears Mayawati’s party leaders are vying to turn criminals. An impartial probe against the minister can be conducted only after his removal,” he added.
Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan said: “We demand a case against the minister must be lodged in the same way as it was registered against his personal assistant. After all, the woman has accused both of them for raping her.”
“If Mayawati is really concerned to contain the crime against women, she should immediately order an inquiry against her minister after dropping him from the cabinet,” he added.