During an interaction with this correspondent several BJP MPs expressed their apprehension that it would be difficult for them to face the electorate. The government took action in the case only after the intervention of the Allahabad High Court. In fact, Kuldeep Senger, the accused MLA was arrested by the CBI after the High Court issued directives to this effect. The court went to the extent of observing that there was complete collapse of the administration in the state.

The connivance of BJP leaders and doctors was fully exposed by the manner in which the victim's father was beaten up in police custody and then dumped in the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The manner in which Principal Sectary Home Arvind Kumar and DGP OP Singh referred to the many awards received by Sanger although he was the main accused in the gang rape has also demoralised the BJP legislators. The party is facing constant attack from the Opposition parties as well as from the public over Unnao incident.

The alleged police encounters involving the killing of innocent persons especially from the minority community has also unnerved the sitting MPs, who have to go back to the people in next few months.

At a time when the entire country is talking about Unnao gang rape and the Kathua incident in Jammu, the Yogi government is withdrawing cases involving Swami Chinmayanand, who was facing rape charges. As if this was not enough, another BJP MLA embarrassed the party leadership by his comment as to who would rape a mother of three kids.

The mishandling of Unnao incident has made a serious dent in the image of Yogi Adityanath who at one time was projected as possible successor to PM Modi and as the future Hindu mascot. In fact, Yogi was being sent to other states going to polls for election campaign. His presence now would evoke only negative response.

BJP MPs feel that it would be suicidal to contest the next Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, who is already under fire after losing two crucial by-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur. The recent visit of BJP president Amit Shah and his interaction with ministers and senior leaders may end up in a large scale reshuffle in Yogi ministry, it is believed. (IPA Service)