LUCKNOW: A day after BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar was filed chargesheet by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Unnao rape case, all eyes are now set on BJP leadership over the next step party would take to decide Sengar's fate and his continuation in the organisation.
While the belligerent opposition had been going whole hog against the BJP accusing it of soft pedalling in Unnao rape case to shield the party MLA, uncle of the rape survivor has exhorted the party to expel the lawmaker in order to ensure free and fair probe.
"We as family and the entire village are happy the way CBI is conducting the probe into the rape case but the MLA is still in the BJP which rules both the centre and the state. Why the ruling party is not firing him," asked the uncle of the Unnao rape survivor.
Sengar was arrested in the month of April amidst a lot of hue and cry over the rape charges levelled against him by a minor who had tried to immolate self in front of CM residence to draw his attention and seek justice.
The rape survivor's kin alleged that the MLA was issuing life threats to the witnesses from jail and that there could not be any justice unless he was expelled from the party. On the contrary, while many of the BJP leaders chose to remain mum over the issue, a couple of others foresaw an action against the tainted MLA after his indictment by the court on Friday.
"Party will decide his fate soon," said a senior BJP leader seeking anonymity. However, there are those who find it quite an embarrassment for the party, especially, in the election year as the opposition would use it as a tool to tarnish party's image.
The fact that Sengar, despite being arrested on charges of rape, was allowed to continue in the party has rattle many leaders who feel that action against him right in the beginning would have sent a right message down the line in the party and also to the people that the BJP didn't shield criminals.
"Had the party leadership sacked him at the time of his arrest, opposition attack would have been neutralised," said a BJP leader adding that the final call would be taken by the party high command which was "waiting and watching".