The BJP’s heavyweight MP and former wrestling boss Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh won’t be contesting the Lok Sabha polls this time.
The BJP has instead named his son Karan Bhushan Singh as its candidate from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj. The announcement, made this afternoon, puts a lid on the speculation surrounding the Kaiserganj seat and its high-profile MP.
Besides announcing the name of Karan Bhushan Singh, the BJP named Pratap Singh as its candidate from Congress stronghold Rae Bareli. The Congress is yet to name its pick from the prestige seat, earlier held by Sonia Gandhi.
A six-term MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh 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 allegations also prompted the BJP to look for another option, as it did not want the row to ruin its poll prospects in the politically-significant state. The party, however, knows the political clout Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh holds in the area. Hence, it has chosen his son as his replacement.
Sources in the BJP had earlier told NDTV that the party leadership had spoken to him on the issue and that the heavyweight politician was still insisting on a poll pass.
His elder son Pratik Bhushan Singh is an MLA. Karan Bhushan Singh currently heads the Uttar Pradesh wrestling body.
Kaiserganj votes on May 20 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. The last date of filing nomination is tomorrow.
The president of Wrestling Federation of India for over a decade, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh hit headlines early last year when the country’s top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, accused him of sexually harassing women wrestlers and staged a massive protest in the national capital.
The BJP heavyweight has denied the allegations. The case against him is pending before a Delhi court. Last month, the BJP leader had blamed the media for the delay in the announcement of the party’s Kaiserganj candidate. “You (media) people need not worry. The announcement of my candidature is getting delayed because of you people,” he said.