Congress appoints Bimol Akoijam to Manipur election committees amid harassment allegations
The BJP has accused the Congress party of being anti-women following the appointment of an MP facing sexual harassment claims.
The Congress has appointed Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam to three committees for the Manipur Assembly elections, according to India Today.
Akoijam, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), faces sexual harassment allegations from 11 JNU students. The police case related to these allegations is still pending, though Akoijam has received some relief from the court.
Akoijam has been named to the Pradesh Election Committee and the Campaign Committee, and has been appointed co-chairman of the Manifesto Committee.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor criticised the decision, accusing the Congress of an anti-women approach. Kapoor also criticised Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi regarding the appointments.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also criticised the move on X, stating that Rahul Gandhi is promoting individuals facing allegations of crimes against women. Bhandari dismissed the Congress slogan 'Smash the Patriarchy' as posturing.
The Congress has not yet responded to the criticism from the BJP.