The BJP has accused the Congress of undermining its own claims on women’s safety after the party gave Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam key responsibilities for the upcoming assembly election despite a sexual harassment case against him.
Akoijam, a Congress MP and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor, has been named a member of the party’s election and campaign committee in Manipur. He has also been appointed co-chairperson of the manifesto committee. “The double standard of the Congress party, which talks about respecting women, has come to light once again. “Serious allegations of sexual harassment have been levelled against him. By including him in its Manipur election committee, the Congress party has made a mockery of the dignity of women. The controversy began after the party approved additional office-bearers for the Manipur unit and created several panels for the assembly election due next year.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, referring to Akoijam’s appointment, accused Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of showing “double standards” on women’s dignity and questioned why an MP facing allegations from women students at JNU had been given responsibilities in the party’s election campaign. It is truly shameful that while Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi engage in the drama of speaking about women’s respect, an MP from their own party who faces serious allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment from female students at JNU is made a member of the campaign committee and co-chairperson of the manifesto committee for the Manipur assembly elections,” she said. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi must answer,” Chugh said. Union Minister Giriraj Singh, adding to the BJP’s firepower, said the Congress party is “unable to see cases of harassment or show concern for daughters.
