SP, BSP to file complaint with EC over Om Prakash Rajbhar ‘threatening public’

Samajwadi Party’s Mau district president Doodh Nath Yadav said, “Om Prakash Rajbhar was trying to intimidate the public. This is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. We are going to file a complaint against him with the Election Commission.”

Bal Krishna Chauhan, the BSP’s Mau district chief, said OP Rajbhar is acting irresponsibly and not speaking sensibly. “We will file a complaint against him with the Election Commission,” he said.

The SBSP, on the other hand, alleged that by raking up this issue the Opposition was making “a malicious attempt to distort the meaning of Rajbhar’s statement” in the video by citing it out of context.

In a purported video doing rounds on social media, Rajbhar is seen saying, “Aap jaan lo Om Prakash Rajbhar Panchayati Raj mantri hai. Akalmand key liye ishara hi kaafi hai. Aur nahi kahunga. Aur dusra alpsankyak kalyan (Minority Welfare)), Wafq Board aur Haj vibhag hai. Woh bahut tagda hai, bees percent abaadi hai… Apney sey karyaly jakar keh rahey hain ki chhari par vote dengey. (You should know that Om Prakash Rajbhar is the Panchayati Raj Minister. Even a small hint is enough for the wise. I will not say more. And the second department is the Minority Welfare, Waqf Board and Haj. That’s is quite powerful catering to the 20 per cent population. They are coming to our office saying they will vote on the stick).”

In a statement, SBSP general secretary Arun Rajbhar sought to clarify, saying, “The Opposition parties are making a malicious attempt to distort the meaning of OP Rajbhar’s statement by selectively showing parts of the video. Since the SBSP allied with the BJP, there have been continuous efforts by the Opposition to target Mr OP Rajbhar.”

The minister’s statement, he claimed, implied that there will be guaranteed development in rural areas, adding, “that is what ‘a hint is enough for the wise’ means”.

“In the video, he also talked about the Ministry of Minority Welfare, emphasising his long-standing association with the minority community. The party highlighted that this bond has strengthened since he was entrusted with the responsibility of the Minority Welfare Department. The minority community in the Ghosi constituency has rallied behind Arvind Rajbhar, expressing their support,” Arun said.

Voting in the Ghosi seat will take place in the seventh phase of polling on June 1.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP’s Atul Kumar Singh defeated BJP’s Hari Narayan from Ghosi by securing 5,73,829 votes. This time, the BSP has given ticket to Bal Krishna Chauhan while the SP has fielded Rajeev Rai.