Decode Politics: For BJP, the importance of Brij Bhushan Singh and why it feels ‘he cannot be ignored’

Who is Brij Bhushan Singh?

The six-time MP — won five times on a BJP ticket and once for the SP — is a strongman whose writ runs large in eastern UP politics. He is actively associated with more than 50 educational institutions including engineering, pharmacy, education, law and others that he established in Bahraich, Gonda, Balrampur, Ayodhya, and Shravasti districts.

Apart from the time spent wrestling in the akharas of Ayodhya since his youth, Singh was also associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement — as per his 2019 election affidavit he was named in the Babri Masjid demolition case — and enjoys the support of a large section of priests in Ayodhya. That support has remained unwavering despite the sexual harassment allegations.

“He is popular because of his image of a ‘dabang neta (strongman)’ and always maintains that image. He has developed an empire in these districts. He runs several colleges and gives fee waivers to those poor students enrolled in his colleges. So, he wins elections both because of his clout and goodwill,” said a BJP leader in Gonda.

On January 8 every year, the 67-year-old Singh celebrates his birthday on a grand scale. He conducts a student talent search examination in which the winners are given motorbikes and scooters as rewards apart from cash.

What does he bring to the table for the BJP?

A UP BJP leader said Singh not only ensures victories for the party in Kaiserganj but also has sizeable influence in the adjoining Lok Sabha constituencies of Gonda and Bahraich, among others. Party insiders said the party gave him a long rope because of this.

A senior UP BJP leader said, “So far, the central leadership has not issued him any directive. He has only been asked to not speak to the media about the issue… He wields influence in his constituency and adjoining seats. He cannot be ignored.” Another party leader added that if the BJP does not give a ticket to Singh, it may field one of his family members. “In 1996, when he was in jail in a TADA case, the BJP fielded his wife Ketaki Devi Singh in the Lok Sabha polls and she won,” he said.

An RSS functionary in UP said, “After this controversy, Singh has become a gale ki haddi (an inconvenience) for the BJP. If the BJP denies him the ticket, he may join any other party to win and the BJP will lose a seat. Singh has varchasva (influence) in Kaiserganj, Shravasti, Basti, and Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituencies. He cannot be ignored.”

What is the status of the cases against the MP?

In April, two FIRs were registered against the MP. One was based on a complaint by six woman wrestlers and the other one was registered based on a complaint by a minor, also a wrestler, and her father.

The Delhi Police on June 15 filed a 1,500-page chargesheet against Singh for alleged sexual harassment, assault, and stalking of six women wrestlers. The same day, the police filed another 550-page report requesting the cancellation of the POCSO case against Singh after the minor and her father withdrew their allegations. In August, the girl’s father told the court during an in-chamber hearing that they were both satisfied with the police inquiry that found “no evidence” against Bhushan.

The wrestlers’ case was earlier heard in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal. But he was promoted and now arguments will be heard from scratch in judge Priyanka Rajpoot’s court from January.

Is the BJP worried about a backlash in Haryana?

Though most of the protesting wrestlers were from Haryana, a BJP leader in Haryana ruled out the possibility of any political backlash. “As far as sentiments of Jats are concerned, the BJP has honoured the community by getting Jagdeep Dhankar elected Vice President. However, the Opposition disrespected the Vice President by doing his mimicry and making the video viral on social media. The BJP will tell Jats this,” said the leader, pointing out that Brij Bhushan was not a campaign issue even in Rajasthan which has a significant Jat population.

But another BJP leader did not seem so confident. “Wrestlers are in almost every village of Jat-dominated Haryana. There is sentiment in the community against the BJP for inaction against Brij Bhushan. Now after the win of his associate for the WFI post, Singh may have his influence in the WFI. People here in Haryana will not like this and this situation can harm the party in the Assembly polls next year if the Opposition raises the issue properly.”

Jats constitute about 28% of Haryana’s population (a quarter of the electorate). Barring northern Haryana, the Jats have strongholds everywhere else in the state.