Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued to maintain a stoic silence on whether it would ask journalist-turned-politician and junior minister for external affairs, MJ Akbar, to step down, in the face of escalating demands for his resignation. Akbar has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women journalists on social media. Even as opposition clamour for Akbar’s dismissal mounts, the BJP brass has issued a diktat to party spokespersons to not comment on the issue. Party leaders and spokespersons have steadfastly refused questions on the subject.
Belying rumours that he has been asked to cut short his Africa visit and return, Akbar left Nigeria for Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on Thursday. He is expected back on Saturday or early on Sunday, people familiar with the matter said.