BSP MLA issuing threats to whistleblower in rape case: Cong

Lucknow, Jan 16 (PTI) Accusing arrested BSP MLAPurushottam Naresh Dwiwedi and his supporters of issuingthreats to the Congress legislator, who blew the lid off Bandarape case, the party today demanded that security around himbe beefed up.

"Congress MLA Vivek Singh, who brought the Banda rapecase involving a backward community girl to light, has beenthreatened by Dwiwedi. He is also receiving threats from otherpersons," UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi told reporters.

A party delegation would also meet the Governor tomorrowdemanding enhanced security cover for the MLA, she said.

The Congress leader said she had already written to UPChief Minister Mayawati asking her to increase the MLA''ssecurity cover.

She said a letter had also been written to Home MinisterP Chidambaram in this regard.

She also accused Uttar Pradesh government of curtailingthe protocol of central ministers.

"Union Minister of State Jitin Prasad, who was hereyesterday, was not given protocol as per his post by the stategovernment," she said.

Charging the state government with interpreting protocolin an arbitrary manner, Joshi said, "Such an act is againstthe democratic system and a party delegation will meet theGovernor and lodge a protest." PTI ABN PG