Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Giriraj Singh was seen sharing stage with Manju Verma, who is out on bail in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, while campaigning for Begusarai in Bihar on Saturday.
As per reports, Verma was arrested under Arms Act. She had to resign as minister of social welfare from the Nitish Kumar government.
The systematic child abuse case had emerged after a report by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) brought to light rampant practices of sexual exploitation inside the shelter home.
CBI had conducted a raid at Verma’s residence after allegations were made that her husband Chandeshwar Verma was a regular visitor at the shelter home. The CBI seized live cartridges during the raid.
Verma and her husband were on the run for three months, before she was finally arrested. Chandeshwar Verma is still in prison.
Also Read: Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Former Nitish Minister Manju Verma
At the Begusarai rally Giriraj Singh reportedly resorted to his old rhetoric about nationalism and defeating anti-nationals.
In a veiled reference to Kanhaiya Kumar, the Communist Party of India candidate from Begusarai, Singh reportedly said that he is fighting against anti-nationals, not any single party or individual.
He said, “I am sure that people of Begusarai will not only defeat them (anti-nationals) but also give them a befitting reply”
Earlier Singh had refused to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai, saying he was unhappy at not being given a ticket from his present constituency in Nawada.