BJP MP vs BJP ex-MLA: Sanjeev Balyan writes to Amit Shah, requests CBI probe into Sardhana Som’s charges

In the two-page letter, Balyan, a prominent Jat face of the BJP from western Uttar Pradesh, however, was all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I represented a constituency which had become synonymous with abductions, loot, murder and extortion before 2014. There was a time when one could not dare to go on the Muzaffarnagar-Roorkee highway in the evening as goons used to rule that stretch. But the scenario changed after 2014. A number of development works were undertaken in the constituency which could not be done since Independence,” he claimed.

Balyan claimed to have drawn inspiration from the PM to execute the development projects in the region. “I do not want that baseless allegations should be levelled against an active party member like me. A CBI inquiry should be ordered in these charges and I am confident of coming out clean,” he added.

War of words between the two

The acrimony between the two BJP leaders from west UP became public soon after the results of the Lok Sabha elections were announced. The former Union minister alleged that he lost the election “due to the Jaichands (a euphemism for a traitor) in the party”, in a reference to Som for working to ensure his defeat.”

He accused Som of being behind the Rajput panchayats being against the BJP before the polls which, he claimed, split the Hindu votes. “He (Som) supported the SP candidate in the election. He facilitated the Rajput community panchayats which spoilt the atmosphere in western UP and divided the votes. This affected the results in Kairana and Saharanpur too,” Balyan alleged.

This led to a war of words between the two with Som retorting, “Balyan lost the election due to his arrogance. I belong to an upper caste family and my values never allow me to act like a Jaichand.”

He added, “Not a single BJP worker likes Balyan. People even told the party leadership that he should not be given the ticket. He did not work for party men in the past 10 years. He lost because BJP workers became inactive.”

He also said, “At an organisational meeting in the presence of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the state BJP president, Balyan himself demanded that there should be no interference in Budhana and Charthawal Assembly segments, whose poll management he personally looked after. He lost both, including Budhana where he lives. He even lost in Soram village in Budhana, which is the biggest village of Jats. How can he blame me for his defeat?”

Som also claimed: “I did not attend any of these (Rajput) panchayats. I actually tried to do damage control, convincing people to get votes polled for the party. The BJP did not lose in Rajput villages.”

On June 12, while Som was addressing a press conference to respond to Balyan’s initial allegations against him, a statement drafted on his letterhead was distributed outside his residence. In it, Balyan was accused of corruption.

The next day, Som distanced himself from this leaflet and said an “unidentified person” was behind it. He also said he had registered a police complaint.