This shows BJP's reality: Brinda Karat on rape accused MLA Kuldeep Sengar featuring in I-Day ads

Reacting sharply to an incident where expelled MLA Kuldeep Sengar was featured in advertisements of a local Hindi daily, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat on Friday said that the rape accused legislator is under BJP's patronage and such things showed the real picture of the ruling party.

"BJP leaders and workers are openly supporting rape accused Kuldeep Sengar. This shows BJP's reality. He has got the patronage of its leaders and they are all in his support," Karat told ANI.

"For the public purpose, they say that we have taken action but the reality is different. BJP has not removed him from MLAship. What message do they want to give?" she said.

Sengar was seen in Independence Day greeting advertisements alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the local edition of the Hindi daily.

Sengar, who was expelled by the BJP earlier this month, featured on advertisements funded by the Panchayat chairman of Ugoo area in Unnao. Meant to wish residents on Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan on August 15, the ads also had photos of Sengar's wife.

Last week, a Delhi court had framed charges against the expelled MLA in connection with the Unnao rape case against him. He has also been named in the case pertaining to the death of the survivor's father.

The lawmaker had allegedly raped the girl, a minor at that time, at his residence in Unnao in 2017, where she had gone to seek a job.

Another case was registered against Sengar after the victim met with a deadly accident last month.

He is presently lodged at the Tihar Jail in the national capital.