The Congress is going all out to take up the role of Opposition.

Party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who alienated the youth in 2012 by not addressing their concerns over the Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi, met the family of the two Dalit girls who were gang-raped and murdered at Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. He also demaded a CBI probe into the issue.

On Sunday, BSP chief Mayawati joined the politicians who made a beeline to Badaun. She stepped up attack on the SP Government, alleging that it is perpetrating “jungle raj” and there is an attempt to put the case on the back burner.

Mayawati, who met the family of the cousins whose bodies were found hanging on a tree on May 28, announced ₹5 lakh each to the victims’ kin from the party fund, claiming that though they have refused the government compensation, they would accept her assistance.

“After I got to know that the State Government was delaying action, I sent my party’s national general secretary Naseemuddin Siddiqui to the village and held a press conference. The outcome of my decision was that the State Government decided for a CBI inquiry into the matter,” she added.

Rahul’s Badaun visit is seen as an attempt by the Nehru scion to get rid of the image that he is not a proactive leader.

Rahul and a host of Congress leaders met the family of the victims and said Uttar Pradesh police will not be able to do justice to them. Hours later, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sought a CBI probe into the incident.

“They have said that the honour of their daughters cannot be brought back with money. They said they want justice and they have no faith in the UP police as their people are involved. They said the UP police cannot get them justice. I agree with them, there can be no price for a woman’s honour. I am also in agreement with them on what they have said about the CBI inquiry. CBI inquiry should happen,” Rahul said.

“Whosoever has committed this crime should know that they cannot do such things in India,” Rahul added, but did not criticise the SP Government in the State. AICC general secretary in-charge of the State Madhusudan Mistry, State PCC chief Nirmal Khatri and chairman of AICC SC department K Raju accompanied Rahul to the village.

The Congress’ first family is under tremendous pressure to overcome the poll debacle.

Even in the Youth Congress, there are demands that the Congress should be seen in the ground if it wants to act as a constructive Opposition.

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