Congress intensifies battle against Maya

NEW DELHI: Congress-BSP confrontation intensified here on Wednesday with the Congress deciding to hold a demonstration in Noida on Thursday in protest against the alleged gangrape of an MBA student.

The protest march will be taken out by the women���s wing of the Congress. The decision was taken on a day in which Union minister for women and child development Renuka Chaudhary resumed her war of words with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati by asserting that incidents like the Noida rape case raise questions on the role of the state government in maintaining law and order.

A day after five youth were arrested for allegedly raping an MBA student in Noida, Ms Chaudhary, a vocal proponent of women���s rights, said none of the boys should get bail. `` How did they think that they can do such a thing and get away? And when that question arises, you start questioning the state government ,������ the Congress leader said, adding, `` So I think we have to start questioning the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh... what she has to say about this,������ she said. `` You have Nithari and Arushi cases, you have Noida rapes. And that is sad if you can���t solve the problem. I think you (Mayawati) should stop dreaming of being the prime minister,������ Ms Chaudhary contended.

On what punishment should be meted out to the accused, she said, ���It is a non-bailable offence that should be... that none of them should get bail and after that I believe that the people have to believe that there is a genuine investigation and what kind of people we are that we cannot protect our daughters.������