After narrowly failing to win a majority in Haryana, the BJP roped in a controversial independent MLA in Haryana who was arrested in 2012 in a case of abetment to suicide.
#WATCH Haryana Lokhit Party’s Gopal Kanda,candidate from Sirsa assembly seat:All independent candidates have extended their unconditional support to BJP. My father was associated with RSS since 1926,fought 1st general elections of the country after independence on Jansangh ticket pic.twitter.com/FeS9c9Valq
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2019
Gopal Kanda, the chief of the Haryana Lokhit Party, was among one of the eight MLAs who were in touch with the BJP and were flown in to discuss the state’s future governance, reports NDTV.
The shocking criminal record of #GopalKanda – as per his own election affidavit #Haryana pic.twitter.com/i0AKkQMDeV
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_ET) October 25, 2019
The reason was pretty simple. Back in 2012, Kanda was accused of abetting the suicide of an air hostess. Later, the victim’s mother also committed suicide and named Kanda as the biggest reason to end her life.
I’m ending myself today because I’m shattered inside….
— Cow Momma (@Cow__Momma) October 25, 2019
Geetika Sharma wrote in her suicide note, clearly stating that Gopal Kanda is responisible for her death. pic.twitter.com/VkpYjxst9b
Come 2019, Kanda came full circle from being a prime target to becoming a key support for the BJP to win a majority in Haryana.
Nothing to see here. Just the ruling party, after losing its majority in Haryana, soliciting the support of an MLA accused of, amongst others, abetting suicide and financial fraud. https://t.co/6A8zO5zczR
— Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) October 25, 2019
After pictures surfaced of Kanda with a BJP MLA on an airplane together, people demanded an explanation from PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sushmita Dev in her letter states, “Gopal Kanda has been accused of rape, abetment of suicide, hatching a criminal conspiracy in connection with the suicide case. Forging an alliance with a criminal like him raises a question on BJP’s resolution of providing security to women.” https://t.co/90bAZLgmwT
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2019
Netizens echoed the sentiment on social media and were visibly agitated.
Senior BJP leaders welcoming Haryana MLA Gopal Kanda in the party. pic.twitter.com/oiwiNpDLtd
— Ovais Sultan Khan (@OvaisSultanKhan) October 25, 2019
For 2 years, BJP refused to remove alleged Unnao rapist Kuldeep Sengar from the party
— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 25, 2019
BJP protected Chinmayanand & sent the alleged victim to jail instead
Now BJP is rolling out the red carpet for #GopalKanda
Come what may, BJP stands firmly behind those who abuse women!
Gopal Kanda should be @BJP4India’s star campaigner for Delhi elections. The party must wheel him all over the city as the brand ambassador of Beti Bachao.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) October 25, 2019
Why is @BJP4India seeking support of rape accused #GopalKanda
— Dr Pooja Tripathi (@Pooja_Tripathii) October 25, 2019
Answer is by Madam Minister herself#KandaBJPSeBetiBachao pic.twitter.com/8SKUK2Qnpr
In UP right now: BJP government launches Kanya Sumangala Yojana.
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) October 25, 2019
In Delhi right now: The BJP is welcoming Gopal Kanda to form its government in Haryana.
So much for Beti Bachao, Beti Pathao! Really! pic.twitter.com/iBGBPuyDwN
This picture sent by a colleague on Whatsapp just brought back some terrible memories. Had followed Geetika Sharma case from start to finish. What a horrible tale of ambition, exploitation blackmail and death… I am appalled that people have voted for this man..#GopalKanda pic.twitter.com/N0WBbqLwC3
— Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) October 25, 2019
(Left) -BJP in 2012
— Mr. Aflatoon (@Mr_Aflatoon_) October 25, 2019
(Right)- BJP now#GopalKanda #HaryanaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/idmDLaEfT4
A Party of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Atal Bihari Vajpayee has successfully transformed itself into a party of Kuldeep Senger, Chinamayanand and Gopal Kanda.
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) October 25, 2019
Soldiers are dying on the border & people are worried about a minor rapist !!!#GopalKanda
— Thakursahab (@65thakursahab) October 25, 2019
Once upon a time, BJP took out rally against #GopalKanda. Waqt Waqt ki baat hai. pic.twitter.com/2Vih1At0Rx
— Riaz Ahmed (@karmariaz) October 25, 2019
Modi ji & PM Amit Shah:
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) October 25, 2019
Former cabin crew Geetika Sharma was #BharatKiLaxmi.
She was raped, tortured, & forced to commit suicide.
Gopal Kanda, the man accused of this heinous crime, is being given a red carpet welcome by u.
That’s how despicable ur “politics” is.
One more rapist is set to join BJP. #GopalKanda #geetikasharmasuicide pic.twitter.com/4AIjLRm1D6
— Akanksha Tyagi (@AkankshaTyagiii) October 25, 2019
The top BJP hierarchy is yet to make a comment on the controversy.
