Pune: In the midst of all political parties preparing for civic poll, BJP is facing the heat after police booked two of its city office-bearers back-to-back on charges of crime against women.The opposition has targeted BJP over the incidents and accused it of disrespecting women.General secretary of BJP’s Pune unit Pramod Kondhare resigned from the party after an FIR was registered against him based on a woman police officer’s allegation that he had touched her inappropriately. Pune police had booked him based on the complaint.BJP’s Pune city chief Dheeraj Ghate said, “BJP is extremely sensitive towards women-related issues. We respect women. Kondhare offered to resign after the case was registered. He said in a letter that he should be relieved from his responsibilities till the investigation is going on.”The party has accepted his resignation and a police probe is on. “We will know the facts soon,” Ghate added.Kondhare is the second BJP office-bearer from Pune to face a charge of being involved in crime against women. Earlier, police had booked labour cell chief of Pune unit Omkar Kadam after a woman official from Pune Municipal Corporation complained he was harassing her.The opposition slammed BJP with two back-to-back police cases emerging against BJP office-bearers within a week.NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said, “It is shocking that a Pune BJP office-bearer’s name has come up in a case of molestation of a woman cop. This is not the first time a BJP member is facing investigation for being involved in crime against women. Police had booked another party member just a few days ago. It is clear what some BJP politicians are up to. Senior party leadership should give some lessons to the workers on how to respect women.“Pune unit chief of NCP (SP) Prashant Jagtap said, “The case is another example of BJP’s dictatorship in Maharashtra — even women cops don’t feel safe. BJP’s local unit tried its level best to pressure police into not registering a case against Kondhare. Finally, the CMO had to intervene and the case was registered. I request chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to control the situation and reprimand his party workers.”Shiv Sena (UBT) also targeted BJP. Deputy leader of UBT Sushma Andhare said, “What is the point of the party taking action against the member when the crime has already been committed. BJP should come clean about why such people are members of the party. The worst part is the incident happened in the presence of senior BJP members, like Kasba MLA Hemant Rasane.”Meanwhile, the state women commission has told Pune police to submit a report to them. Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar said, “I protest against the incident. People with such a mentality should not be spared. We have taken cognisance of the incident and told Pune police to take immediate action on the complaint of the woman cop. Pune police commissioner has also been told to submit the action taken report to us.“





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