#MeToo: MJ Akbar won’t be asked to quit, govt sources
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) MJ Akbar, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, won’t be asked to quit, according to highly-placed government sources.
They that the government is of the view that asking Akbar to quit over #MeToo allegations will send a bad signal as this comes just a few months ahead of the crucial General Elections next year.
Though the party appears to be divided over Akbar, a section of its leaders feel that the minister should be given a fair chance to present his side. Others in the party, however, feel that Akbar should be asked to quit to save the party from further embarrassment as it was damaging BJP’s known stand on women’s safety and empowerment.
On his part, Akbar has termed allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by several women as “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” and warned that he will take appropriate legal action against them.
Hours after returning from a trip to Nigeria, the Minister of State for External Affairs issued a statement, virtually rejecting calls for his resignation from the post and seeking to link the allegations against him to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
KV Network
