Six-time MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh | Photo: NDTV
New Delhi: Sakshee Malikkh, an Olympic winner and former Indian wrestler, responded to the BJP's choice to field Karan Bhushan Singh, the son of former wrestling body president Bri Bhushan Singh, as their candidate from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh. Brij Bhushan Singh is the accused party in a case of sexual harassment.
"Daughters of the country lost, Brij Bhushan won. We all put our careers at stake and slept on the streets for many days in the sun and rain. To date, Brij Bhushan has not been arrested. We were not demanding anything, we were only demanding justice," Sakshee Malikkh wrote on X, NDTV reported.
Last year, a number of demonstrators, including Olympic medallists Sakshee Malikk and Bajrang Punia as well as Vinesh Phogat, took to the streets of Delhi to protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the six-time MP, accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment while he was the President of the Wrestling Federation of India. All of the accusations made against him in the pending case have been denied by him.
Last week, a Delhi court denied Mr Singh's request for additional review of the evidence pertaining to his whereabouts on September 7, 2022, the date of the alleged sexual harassment event.
He had admitted to the court that he was not in Delhi at the time of the alleged sexual harassment of a wrestler who was the complainant.
In addition to representing the Gonda and Balrampur constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Singh possesses significant influence in the Kaiserganj area.
The six-time MP's political clout in the region is well-known by the BJP. It has selected his son to take his place as a result. The BJP's top brass had discussed the matter with him but the powerful politician was still demanding a poll permit.
Pratik Bhushan Singh, his eldest son, is an MLA. Karan is the current head of the wrestling organisation in Uttar Pradesh.
In the meantime, the MP's house was filled with festivities following the BJP's announcement of his son as the candidate for the seat. "I am thankful to the party leadership and the public that they have allowed me to serve the people here," Karan Bhushan Singh said.
Brij Bhushan Singh said, "I am not bigger than the party... I welcome the party's decision."
This is the first time Karan Bhushan Singh will contest elections.