Returning to the state capital to an enthusiastic welcome from Congressmen, an aggressive Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Monday gave an ultimatum to the state government to either hand over the investigation into the attack on her residence to the CBI by August 1 or face an agitation.

Not ready to lie low, Mayawati, too, said the state Government will pursue the case against Joshi and see to it that the latter is penalised for her offence. She also assured that those who indulged in arson at her residence would be punished.

“The UP Congress chief was arrested for making undignified and indecent remarks against me. She is out on bail and the hearing on regular bail is yet to begin. My Government will ensure that she is brought to justice,” said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, addressing a gathering of party workers at the state Congress headquarters, Joshi said, “If you (Mayawati) are Behenji of the people here, I am their Didi. I might be 60 years’ old but have the energy of a 22-year-old. So be ready to face an agitation,” Joshi said while addressing a gathering of party workers at the state Congress headquarters.

Joshi said that in her speech at Moradabad, she spoke against Mayawati as an insensitive Chief Minister and woman, not Mayawati as a Dalit. “I challenge you to tell the people if even once during your four stints as chief minister, you visited any woman victim to listen to her woes,” Joshi said.

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