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.