BJP MLA who attended rally supporting Kathua rape accused promoted as minister

BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, who attended a rally in support of Kathua rape and murder accused, was also inducted into the cabinet.

BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, who attended a rally in support of Kathua rape and murder accused, was elevated and inducted into the state cabinet. Photo: ANI

SRINAGAR: In a major cabinet reshuffle, seven new faces were sworn in as ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir's PDP-BJP government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, who attended a rally in support of Kathua rape and murder accused, was elevated and inducted into the state cabinet. Jasrotia's swearing-in comes mired in a controversy as opposition National Conference questioned his inclusion in the council of ministers and asked Mehbooba Mufti to clear her stand on the Kathua rape and murder case. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the BJP and PDP are confused about their stand in the case. "2 BJP ministers removed in J&K for attending a pro-rapist rally & a MLA who is reported to have attended the same rally is promoted as a minister. Why are the BJP/ @MehboobaMufti confused about where they stand on the #Kathua rape?" Omar tweeted.

2 BJP ministers removed in J&K for attending a pro-rapist rally & a MLA who is reported to have attended the same rally is promoted as a minister. Why are the BJP/ @MehboobaMufti confused about where they stand on the #Kathua rape?

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 30, 2018

NC spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu also attacked the BJP-PDP government over Jasrotia's inclusion in the cabinet. He said the "shocking development" had again "exposed the inherent sadism and opportunism" of the PDP-BJP alliance. "....Today it has become clear beyond any doubt, yet again, that Mehbooba Mufti has lost the moral right to govern and pretend to be anguished over what happened in Kathua. She along with her colleagues, alliance partners and ministers have and continue to add salt to the gaping wounds of the child's family," PTI quoted Mattu as saying. Earlier this month, BJP ministers Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga have resigned from the cabinet after they faced flak for taking part in a rally in support of those accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua. Jasrotiya also took part in the same rally. After the swearing-in ceremony, Jasrotia evaded questions by reporters about his participation in the rally held by Singh and Ganga in his constituency.