UP Minister rank post-holder Sonam Chishti resigns, makes serious allegations against Yogi govt
Before the by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, the political turbulence within the BJP shows no signs of abating. State Minister rank post holder Sonam Chishti has resigned from her post, leveling serious allegations against the Yogi government. Sonam Chishti, Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Transgender Welfare Board, stated that officers in the Yogi administration are unresponsive and have even threatened to file cases against her if she speaks out. Her resignation is not yet accepted by the government.
In her resignation letter to the Governor, Sonam Chishti wrote: "I, Sonam Chishti (Kinnar), Vice President (Minister of State rank post), Kinnar Kalyan Board, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Jawahar Bhawan, First Floor Room No. 15 & 16, Lucknow, am hurt by the results/performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party in various districts/Lok Sabha constituencies in the recently held general Lok Sabha elections in the year 2024 and take responsibility for the defeat and I have failed to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party among the people while holding a minister rank post. Due to this, I am resigning from the government post, being troubled by my conscience. After this, I will continue to work in the organization to strengthen the organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party and I will faithfully discharge whatever responsibility I will get from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttar Pradesh. Please accept my resignation."
Before the by-elections, the BJP in UP is facing numerous challenges.
The party appears to be disjointed ahead of the by-elections, and now Sonam Chishti has tendered her resignation. Prior to resigning, Sonam Chishti supported Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya's statement, agreeing that "the organization is big and the government is small."
Sonam Chishti is also known as Kinnar Sonam Chishti and is reportedly from Ajmer. Sonam is known for her welfare work towards transgender community. Before joining BJP, Sonam was part of Samajwadi Party.
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Child rape-murder: Hundreds protest on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune; traffic hit
Pune (PTI): Hundreds of people blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune to protest the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, leading to traffic disruption on the busy route for about four hours.
The girl's family members and other demonstrators placed the body on the road in the Navale Bridge area on Saturday evening and demanded stringent punishment for the 65-year-old man arrested in the case.
Several videos surfaced showing a huge traffic jam on the highway.
Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium here shortly after midnight amid tight police security.
The accused man, who works as a labourer and has a criminal record, allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food on Friday in the Bhor tehsil of Pune district. He then took her to a cattle enclosure where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and later killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to the police.
He was arrested based on CCTV footage from a private residence, which captured him with the child.
A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and he has been remanded in police custody till May 7.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday met the family of the victim, assuring them of strict action against the accused and a fast-track trial.
Describing the incident as "shocking" and a "blot on humanity", Pawar said the government stands firmly with the victim's family and will ensure justice.
She also spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought a fast-track court trial so that the accused receives the harshest punishment.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde directed Pune rural police to gather concrete evidence to build a watertight case and conduct the trial in a fast-track court.
Efforts should be made to ensure the accused gets the death penalty, a statement quoted Shinde as saying.
