Gujarat BJP Vice-President resigns after woman accuses him of rape

Bhanushali had represented Abdasa Assembly constituency in Kutch from 2007 to 2012.

Image: mla.jayantibhaibhanushali/ Facebook

NEW DELHI: Gujarat BJP vice-president Jayanti Bhanushali resigned from the post on Friday. The resignation comes after a police complaint was filed against him in Surat accusing him of rape. In her complaint, the woman had accused her of making physical relations with her after making a false promise of securing admission for her in a reputed fashion designing college Jayanti Bhanushali denies all the claims and says in his resignation letter sent to the state BJP president that it was a conspiracy to malign his image. Bhanushali had represented Abdasa Assembly constituency in Kutch from 2007 to 2012. "It appears that this application (to police) is a conspiracy to malign my image. Baseless allegations have been made against me and my family. Till the time I am cleared of the charges, I urge the party to relieve me of my responsibilities," Bhanushali said in the letter. One of his assistants also shot a video of the act on a cell phone with the intention of blackmailing her, she alleged in her application.