A BJP legislator in Uttar Pradesh has publicly backed Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the main accused in the 2017 Unnao rape case, even though the party expelled Sengar earlier in the same week. A video shows Ashish Singh Ashu, the BJP MLA from Mallawan, speaking warmly about Sengar at a party function on Friday.

What the MLA said

Referring to the jailed former MLA as a brother, Ashu told the gathering that Sengar could not attend because he was facing a hard period. He said everyone’s good wishes were with him and expressed hope that Sengar would get through his troubles and return to be among his supporters.

“We hope that he will overcome the bad times, fight through it and come out of it,” Ashu said.

Background

Sengar, formerly a BJP MLA, has been in jail for more than a year. Until recently, however, the BJP had not fully cut its links with him.

The party’s action against him came amid widespread public anger over allegations of a deep conspiracy behind a road accident that left the rape survivor fighting for her life. On Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR against Sengar and 10 others in connection with that accident.

The video of Ashu’s remarks suggests that, despite the expulsion, Sengar still has backers within the party’s ranks in the state.

See also: Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha members

Originally published on 3 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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