Minister’s hand in woman’s death: Cong

The mysterious death of a woman from Hardwar in New Delhi two days ago has become the latest point of contention between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Uttarakhand.

In charges reminiscent of the unwed mother episode involving then revenue minister Harak Singh Rawat of the Congress, state Congress chief Harish Rawat has alleged involvement of Uttarakhand Education Minister Madan Kaushik in the death of Neelam Sharma. Suspecting foul play, Rawat has demanded a probe by the CBI.

Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson claims Kaushik, who is the BJP’s Hardwar MLA, was close to Sharma. “We are going to hold a dharna on May 2 at Dehradun to demand a CBI inquiry into the matter,” he told The Indian Express. “It is a serious charge against a Cabinet minister of the state.” Sharma, who was a divorcee and a mother of two, died in a Delhi hospital two days ago.