Rahul Gandhi ‘deeply shocked’ by ‘heinous’ murder of BSP leader

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday condemned the tragic murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader from Tamil Nadu unit, saying the state government would ensure that the culprits are brought to justice at the earliest. K Armstrong, was hacked to death by a group of unidentified men near his residence in Perambur in Chennai on July 5.

Addressing X, Gandhi wrote: “I am deeply shocked by the brutal and heinous murder of Thiru Armstrong, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party of Tamil Nadu. My deepest condolences go to his family, friends and supporters.” He stressed that the Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the state government.

“The Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the Tamil Nadu government and I am confident that the government will ensure that the culprits are brought to book at the earliest,” the Congress MP said. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu and the Congress are allies in the INDIA bloc.

Meanwhile, Chennai police have arrested eight suspects and formed a special team to probe the murder of the BSP leader. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the family of the slain leader.

Stalin said the police have been directed to conduct the investigation expeditiously and bring the culprits to justice as per law. Speaking to ‘X’, CM Stalin wrote, “The assassination of Bahujan Samaj Party state president Mr Armstrong is shocking and deeply saddening. The police arrested those involved in the murder during the night.”

“I would like to convey my deepest condolences to all members of Armstrong’s party, his family, relatives and friends who are grieving, and I have ordered the police to pursue the case swiftly and bring the culprits to justice in accordance with the law,” he added.

BSP chief Mayawati condemned the gruesome murder and asked the state government to “punish the culprits”.

“The gruesome murder of K. Armstrong, the state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Tamil Nadu, outside his house in Chennai is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong voice of Dalits in the state. The state government must punish the culprits,” Mayawati said in a message posted on X on Friday.