Away from accusations of sexual harassment, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh organised a Dabdaba Pradarshan (Show of Strength) event in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj ahead of his son’s nomination for the Lok Sabha polls on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party. 500-700 SUVs were parked at a rally ground and more than 10,000 people took part in the nomination meet, including MLAs, MLCs, zila panchayat heads, BJP’s local leadership from nearby districts, and religious leaders from Ayodhya’s prominent akhadas on the dais.
Brij Bhushan, wearing a yellow kurta, an orange scarf, and dhoti was handling the arrangements with a microphone in his hand amid excited workers. He sat on a couch in the middle of the dais like a “king” while others had to make do with regular chairs. However, Brij Bhushan deliberately tried not to be the centre of attention and did not go near deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya or his son throughout the event and kept himself busy attending to the dignitaries and religious leaders. He also did not go for the filing of his son’s nomination.
“Five people were allowed to go. I was looking after the arrangements here while others have gone for the nomination filing,” he said on being asked about this. “I usually keep myself away from the limelight. I focus on the arrangements. There was no instruction to do so from anywhere; it is my routine practice.”
Brij Bhushan, a six-time MP, suffered a massive political setback due to sexual harassment allegations against him that saw some of the country’s top wrestlers hit the streets. The former president of the Wrestling Federation of India has denied the charges.
The BJP’s rivals had been attacking the party, arguing that while it says “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, it then gives election tickets to people like Brij Bhushan. Reacting to this, he said, “I don’t want to name anyone but a senior Congress leader approached me and asked me to join the party, saying they would take a seat from ally Samajwadi Party and I could then contest, and there would be an impact on nearby constituencies as well. I am saying this with full responsibility.”
On the question of his role in the party since he will not be an MP anymore, he said, “Hoihi soi jo Ram rachi rakha (Whatever Lord Ram has written will happen). I used to contest elections, now I am managing one. I am in the position of a kingmaker now.”
He refused to answer questions regarding the cases against him, saying that the matter was in court.
Since Brij Bhushan’s arrival at the rally venue with a convoy of over 15 cars and till his exit, he was completely surrounded by workers. The programme ended only after he left.
Of his sons, while Karan Bhushan was being greeted by people, Prateek Bhushan, who is an incumbent MLA, was receiving guests like deputy CM Keshav Maurya and others.
Prateek, who was also in dhoti-kurta, said, “Karan is the son of a strong man. He is the youngest at home and is loved by all. This time we will electrify the election.”
Karan, who is young and new to electoral politics, was listening to elders around him and humbly receiving scarves and garlands, and thanking people asking for their support. He told News18, “I got the information (of getting a BJP ticket) in the morning but I was not sure till it was officially announced. I will try my best to keep up the good work done by my father.”
Asked whether his fight was with the Samajwadi Party or Bahujan Samaj Party, he said, “All of Kaiserganj is my family. I will take their blessings too. There is no fight here.” The seat will have voting on May 20, in the fifth round of the ongoing seven-phase general elections.
Karan was a national-level double trap shooter. He has a diploma in business management from Australia. Karan is currently the president of UP wrestling association as well as Cooperative Village Development Bank in Nawabganj, Gonda.
When his son Karan went to file his nomination, Brij Bhushan addressed the gathering and made an emotional appeal, talking about his connection with the people of Kaiserganj.
The workers were very excited about Karan entering electoral politics and the Kaiserganj ticket going to Brij Bhushan’s family. They believe the cases against the former wrestling boss are politically motivated and filed to remove him from the post of WFI president by the “Haryana lobby”. His supporters also say the accusations against him have no impact on the ground as he is known for his good works. He set up educational institutes and hospitals in the area. In fact, one party worker compared him with Madan Mohan Malaviya. Cadres said this time the margin of victory from Kaiserganj would cross three lakh votes.
Observers say Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is perhaps an irreplaceable or important factor in Uttar Pradesh’s politics. While UP’s strongmen politicians are gradually either fading away or being cut down to size by the government, Brij Bhushan seems to be an exception, with influence over the five Lok Sabha constituencies of Kaiserganj, Gonda, Balrampur, Shrawasti, Ayodhya, and Bahraichthrough the 54 educational institutions he owns or is associated with.
The vast network of colleges, schools, and wrestling academies works as poll machinery for Brij Bhushan. Since his younger days, he has been organising wrestling events and sports fairs. He hit the headlines after being named as an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. Later, he joined the BJP due to his closeness with Ashok Singhal of the Vishva Hindu Parishad. He first established the Nandini Nagar College in Nawabganj from where his empire grew. He belongs to the Kshatriya cast but has clout among other groups as well. His wife Ketkidevi is a zila panchayat president and son Prateek is an MLA from Gonda Sadar. With his help, many MLAs, MLCs, and zila panchayat heads have been elected.
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