The Mahila Congress state president Sarita Arya accused the state government of trying to shield the former Bharatiya Janta Party state general secretary who had been accused of sexual misconduct by a woman associated with the party. Addressing the media here on Sunday, Arya said that Sanjay Kumar was accused by a woman associated with the BJP of sexual exploitation. Though the woman in question had made a written complaint to the police, a report was not being lodged in the case, averred Arya, alleging that the State government was trying to shield the accused.

The Mahila Congress state president further said that Kumar had been removed from the post of state general secretary but this was only for the sake of appearance. She said, “The state chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat should have himself taken cognisance of this and ensured strict action. On the one hand, the BJP publicises the slogan of beti bachao, beti padhao while on the other hand its office bearer commits such deplorable acts. Even the comments made by the BJP Dehradun city chief Vinay Goel regarding women are condemnable. Women are not being respected in the BJP,” opined Arya.

Referring to the works done by the state government, she said that with the term of the BJP state government nearing two years, the ‘double-engine’ government seems to have duped the public. She requested members of the public that when BJP leaders come to seek their votes in the local body elections, they should be asked about the works done to fulfill the promises made during the past election. Averring that the Congress fully respects women, she said that those women workers of the BJP who do not feel secure in that party organisation are also welcome to join the Congress. Referring to local issues, she said that there are various problems in Nainital but public representatives belonging to the BJP are doing nothing to resolve such issues. Problems caused by lack of parking space in Nainital and the Baliyanala landslide should have been addressed on priority but were not. The Congress will address these issues effectively, she claimed.