A shocking incident has surfaced during voting in the Karhal Assembly by-election in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri district, where a Dalit girl was allegedly murdered. The victim's family has accused Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Prashant Yadav of orchestrating the crime, claiming it was in retaliation for the girl expressing her support for the BJP.

Key Allegations

The victim's father alleges that three days before the murder, an SP leader approached them, demanding they vote for the Samajwadi Party. The girl reportedly responded that their vote would go to the BJP. Following this, threats were issued against her. On the day of the incident, two individuals allegedly forced the girl onto a bike, and her naked body was later discovered near the Kanjara River bridge in the Karhal area.

BJP’s Strong Reaction

The BJP has strongly condemned the incident, with Anujesh Pratap, the BJP candidate for Karhal, accusing SP of resorting to violence to intimidate voters. The party’s IT Cell head, Amit Malviya, also criticized SP, calling the incident an example of “gundaraj” under the Samajwadi Party. He demanded accountability from Akhilesh Yadav, urging him to control his party workers.

Malviya shared a video of the victim's mother alleging SP’s involvement, stating, "The goons in red caps have committed another heinous act. This time, a Dalit girl was murdered for refusing to vote for the Samajwadi Party."

Police Investigation

The Mainpuri Police have taken the body into custody for post-mortem and initiated an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the victim had received threats a day prior to the incident. The BJP has demanded strict action and an impartial inquiry into the case.

Political Tensions in Karhal

Karhal is witnessing a high-stakes by-election after Akhilesh Yadav vacated the seat following his Lok Sabha win. The constituency is a battleground between SP’s Tej Pratap Yadav and BJP’s Anujesh Pratap Yadav, making the incident even more politically sensitive.

Public Reaction and Impact

The murder has sparked outrage across the state, with citizens and political parties demanding justice. Social media has been flooded with reactions, as many blame the volatile political environment for such incidents. BJP leaders have emphasized that the incident reflects the "lawlessness" they allege is associated with SP governance.

The tragic incident has added fuel to the already charged political atmosphere in Karhal. As investigations continue, both parties are leveraging the case to highlight their narratives, with BJP focusing on law and order, while SP has yet to respond to the allegations. The outcome of this by-election could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of the region.