Dehradun, June 9 -- A political slugfest erupted on Sunday with the Congress lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the reported sharp increase in incidents of rape, murder, and violence against women in the state and its failure to protect women, while the ruling party hitting back and accusing it of politicising incidents of crime against women. Senior Congress vice president (organisation and administration) Suryakant Dhasmana said that the BJP government has failed to protect the women in the state and ensure their safety. The war of words took place in the wake of the arrests of a district-level BJP Mahila Morcha leader, her boyfriend and his aide in connection with the gang rape and sexual assault of the woman's 13-year-old daughter. According to police, the minor was gang-raped at least eight times in the presence of her mother by the latter's boyfriend and his aide. Referring to the arrests made on June 4, Dhasmana said, "If a mother can do this to her own child for power and influence, it reflects the true face of BJP leaders." He further listed a series of cases reported from across the state in which BJP leaders, office bearers or workers were allegedly involved in crimes against women. "In the Pauri receptionist murder case, the convict, now serving a life sentence, belongs to a family that had ties with the BJP. In Lalkuan, a BJP leader has been accused of raping a minor girl. In Almora, again a local BJP leader has been accused of molestating a minor," he added. He said that the Congress will work on the "Beti Bachao" campaign across the state to raise awareness and demand accountability for the growing incidents of violence against women. "Our mothers, daughters and sisters no longer feel safe here. There is a growing sense of fear and outrage among the women of Uttarakhand," Dhasmana said. He called for a thorough investigation into the minor's gang rape case. "There is a need to uncover what other crimes she may have been involved in," he added. Meanwhile, the BJP strongly criticised the Congress for allegedly politicising the incidents of crime against women, asserting that the Congress should instead focus on respecting women. BJP state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said that isolated incidents cannot be seen as representative of the entire female population and accused the Congress of having a flawed mindset. Chauhan emphasised that in every reported case of women harassment across the state, swift action has been taken and the accused have been put behind bars. "The BJP stands by its values, character and identity. We continue to move forward with our slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'. While a few heinous crimes have occurred, the party has acted promptly by expelling the culprits and ensuring legal action against them," Chauhan said. He contrasted the BJP's structure and discipline with that of the Congress. He described the BJP as a party based on ideology and dedicated workers, while calling Congress a "disorganised group with no policy or principles." "The Congress's accusations and propaganda would not derail the BJP's mission of women empowerment," he added. Chauhan reiterated the BJP's commitment to protecting and empowering women. "Criminal elements have no place in the party and it remains committed to justice and respect for all women," said Chauhan....