Under sexual harassment cloud, Brij Bhushan stages show of strength: Will contest LS again

His remarks came four days before the Delhi Police is expected to file a chargesheet in the matter against him. On June 7,

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, following a meeting with Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, had assured them that the police would file a chargesheet by June 15.

On Sunday, after his speech during which he mostly targeted the Congress and hailed the BJP-led government at the Centre, Singh was asked by reporters where he would contest the 2024 election from.

“Kaiserganj Lok Sabha se chunav ladunga, ladunga, ladunga (I will contest the election from Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency),” he said.

Sunday’s rally was part of the BJP’s outreach programme launched to mark the completion of nine years of the Modi government. Similar rallies were being organised in all 80 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh.

Singh’s rally in Kaiserganj was held at a college run by him. He was previously scheduled to hold a Jan Chetna Maha Rally event in Ayodhya on June 5, but later announced its postponement citing police investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment against him.

On Sunday, Singh reached the rally ground sitting atop a vehicle that was part of a cavalcade of SUVs. He was welcomed on stage with slogans hailing “UP tiger Brij Bushan Singh”. On stage, he took charge of the event, inviting MLAs and MLCs to make “short” speeches.

In his speech, he hit out at the previous Congress-led governments at the Centre. He said that under the government led by Jawaharlal Nehru, India had lost possession of thousands of square kilometres of land to Pakistan and China.

He also attacked the Congress over the state of Emergency imposed between 1975 and 1977, as well as the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He expressed confidence that the BJP would come back to power in 2024, recalling the party’s big wins in 2014 and 2019.

Singh also praised the government’s efforts, particularly pointing out the work done in Kashmir and with regard to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

“The credit goes to Modi, but even before that, it goes to the party workers and the public. They have made Modi ji capable,” he said.

Other BJP leaders at the rally praised Singh in their speeches. MLC Manju Singh called Singh “Purvanchal ke gaurav (pride of the East)” and an “inspiration for the youth”.

Madhya Pradesh minister Mohan Yadav, who was the chief guest at the rally, asked the gathering to clap for Singh, saying he built 55 colleges and schools and promoted education in the area.