Lucknow: It’s not simply the BJP that has been sustaining silence on the sexual harassment allegations towards its MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief.
Even the Samajwadi Occasion (SP) and its president Akhilesh Yadav, who’s often fast to focus on the BJP-led governments on the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh (UP) on points starting from “encounters” to the case of the Sarus crane, haven’t joined the opposition refrain demanding motion towards Brij Bhushan.
The one feedback from the SP have come from Mainpuri MP and Akhilesh’s spouse Dimple Yadav, and his cousin Dharmendra Yadav, a former Badaun MP, each of whom have demanded a good probe within the case.
Brij Bhushan, who has denied the allegations towards him, lavished reward on former chief minister Akhilesh final week for not siding with the continued wrestlers’ protest.
“I wish to thank Akhilesh Yadav. I’ve recognized him since his childhood,” he mentioned to mediapersons on 30 April. “I’m elder to him. Although there are political variations between us, Akhilesh is aware of the reality.”
“Among the many wrestlers in UP, about 80 per cent belong to the SP ideology. They (the wrestlers) name me ‘Netaji’ with love. They inform (others) how their Netaji is,” he added.
Days later, Brij Bhushan dwelt on his relationship with Akhilesh’s father, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was a wrestler himself in his youth, and different SP leaders whereas chatting with a information channel. “I’ve visited Saifai (Yadav household’s native village) a number of occasions accompanied by wrestlers. Akhilesh got here at considered one of my occasions. Mulayam Singh got here at considered one of my occasions. In UP, everyone is aware of one another’s character,” he mentioned.
Rubbishing rumours of becoming a member of the SP, the previous WFI chief mentioned he would proceed to work for the BJP and wouldn’t contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections if the occasion requested him to not.
At present representing Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan is a six-time Lok Sabha MP from Gonda, Kaiserganj and Balrampur constituencies of UP. BJP leaders had earlier informed ThePrint that he was a strong chief who “dictates politics and ticket distribution within the 5 constituencies of Gonda, Bahraich, Domariyaganj, Kaiserganj and Shravasti”.
In line with SP insiders, with the final elections looming, the occasion is in a wait-and-watch mode over the wrestlers’ allegations towards Brij Bhushan.
When requested in regards to the SP’s stand on the problem, occasion spokesperson Manoj Singh Kaka selected to dwell on the incidents of crime towards ladies in Hathras (alleged gangrape and homicide) and Unnao (rape case involving former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar), and mentioned that regulation and order in UP had collapsed.
“The CM (Yogi Adityanath) is just indulging in talks of hatred. Have a look at what occurred in Prayagraj — a government-sponsored crime (obvious reference to current killing of Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf),” he mentioned. “No one is serious about speaking in regards to the rise of cylinder costs and the plight of the poor.”
SP’s chief spokesperson Rajendra Choudhary denied hypothesis that the WFI chief would be a part of the occasion. “There isn’t a substance in such rumours,” he mentioned, when pressed for a touch upon the matter. “He’s within the BJP and the BJP is making an attempt to avoid wasting Brij Bhushan.”
Additionally learn: ‘Delayed probe, non-disclosure of findings, no FIR towards Brij Bhushan’ — why wrestlers are protesting once more
‘Brij Bhushan key in some constituencies’
A senior SP chief, not prepared to be named, informed ThePrint that “Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh continues to be an necessary participant in some constituencies and the very fact can’t be denied”.
“The occasion is not going to make a transparent assertion on the matter, a minimum of until the time he’s arrested. If he evades motion, he (Brij Bhushan) will hold his choices open, particularly since he has been an MP from the SP (in 2009),” mentioned the chief.
Leaders from the SP’s Gonda unit identified that Brij Bhushan loved an excellent relationship with Mulayam Singh and had served as an MP with Akhilesh within the 15th Lok Sabha, when he was elected from Kaiserganj.
“Mulayam Singh had inducted Brij Bhushan into the occasion in 2008 after he was expelled by the BJP when he cross-voted throughout that yr’s belief vote in Parliament. That cut price had some situations, which have been honoured,” the SP chief defined.
“Mulayam Singh had additionally brokered a compromise between Brij Bhushan and his friend-turned-foe Pandit Singh (a former minister within the SP cupboard) regardless of the latter accusing Brij Bhushan of involvement in a near-death assault towards him,” the chief added.
When requested about Brij Bhushan’s reward for Akhilesh, a person he had as soon as termed the final “badshaah of the Mulayam sultanate”, a second senior SP chief mentioned the BJP MP was “merely indulging in stress ways”.
“These are stress ways. There was a time when he had mentioned lots of different issues (about Akhilesh). The SP is watching these developments intently and the BJP’s response. Brij Bhushan enjoys help among the many Rajput neighborhood. What if he manages to come back out scot-free?” the chief requested.
Dimple calls for ‘honest probe’
Akhilesh’s spouse Dimple Yadav spoke to mediapersons with regards to Brij Bhushan in Mainpuri Thursday.
When requested about Akhilesh’s silence on the problem, she mentioned: “It’s our demand {that a} honest probe happen. Each side have their variations. The case is within the court docket and the court docket will resolve.”
On Brij Bhushan’s reward for Akhilesh, she added: “Now, you must perceive the sort of issues that occur in politics. You must perceive who praises somebody when, however the matter is within the eyes of the Supreme Courtroom,” she mentioned.
The wrestlers had approached the Supreme Courtroom looking for an FIR towards Brij Bhushan. As soon as he was booked, the court docket this week closed its proceedings within the matter.
Final week, the SP’s former Badaun MP Dharmendra Yadav additionally demanded an investigation into the fees and arrest of the accused.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
Additionally learn: ‘Being referred to as liars’: Protesting wrestlers in tears over ‘inaction’ on sexual harassment fees towards WFI chief