Finding itself in a spot after names of some members of the party came up in a complaint of gang rape in Kutch district, Gujarat BJP today said it had shown zero tolerance towards perpetrators.
However a Kutch BJP leader made a huge gaffe when he unintentionally revealed the victim's identity.
BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya alleged here that opposition Congress and AAP were trying to exploit the issue.
"This is a very shameful and loathsome incident. Both BJP and the state government are very sensitive and serious towards this case. Gujarat BJP has shown zero tolerance on the issue and immediately suspended four party members," he said.
"Congress and AAP are least bothered if the victim gets justice; both the parties are only interested in politicising the issue....They are trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Gujarat," he alleged, as the opposition sought to corner BJP. Elections in Gujarat are due later this year.
A 24 years old married woman lodged complaint of gang rape at Naliya town of Kutch district on January 25, following which the police arrested the prime accused and BJP member Shantilal Solanki (48), Bharat Darji (37), Vinod Thakkar(67), his son Chetan Thakkar (35) and Ashwin Thakkar (44).
Solanki and Darji were remanded in 14-day police custody today by a local court, while others were in judicial custody, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja informed in a statement here.
The complainant stated that she was raped by at least nine persons including those arrested on multiple occasions when she was working at Solanki's gas agency one year ago.
BJP suspended Solanki, Govind Parumalani, Ajit Ramvani and Vasant Bhanushali after the matter came to light. Barring Solanki, other three are on the run.
The woman alleged that the accused were running a massive sex-racket in Kutch district; they made videos of girls to blackmail them into having sex.
After the FIR was registered, unidentified persons
circulated pictures of an identity card allegedly issued by local BJP unit to the victim.
Both BJP as well as Gujarat Government claimed the I-card was fake and had not been issued by the party.
Jadeja claimed in his statement that the gang rape case had no connection with training sessions of local BJP for which the I-card was allegedly issued to the victim.
"The I-card... Is actually an entry pass having her photo on it. If it was a genuine I-card issued by BJP, it would not have the photo. Signature of Kutch district BJP president is also missing," the minister pointed out.
"On the card, the woman is identified as 'social lady'. Such designation does not exist in the party," he said.
Kutch BJP president Keshubhai Patel also addressed a press conference in Bhuj and claimed that the I-card was fake.
However, in a blunder, he showed copy of the I-card before TV cameras, thus revealing the victim's identity.
"This I-card was fake. I just wanted to highlight that point," he claimed later.
