As Brij Bhushan campaigns for son, he says give a ‘karara thappad’ reply to my ‘sankat’

Since the ruling BJP nominated his son as the Kaiserganj candidate, Brij Bhushan has been addressing at least 10 public meetings daily in the constituency. Unlike the past when he travelled to other constituencies in eastern UP to campaign for different BJP candidates, this time he has focused only on Kaiserganj. Notably, no central leader of the BJP has so far campaigned for his son.

The BJP replaced Brij Bhushan with his youngest son Karan Bhushan Singh, 33, as its candidate for the Lok Sabha polls from the Kaiserganj seat, which neighbours Ayodhya. Karan is fighting his first election. Kaiserganj will vote on May 20 in the fifth phase.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Aditanath addressed a rally in support of Karan Bhushan in Payagpur Assembly segment but he did not name Brij Bhushan and referred to him as “Karan’s father” and “yahan ke saansad” (local MP).

Earlier this month, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya addressed a public meeting there before Karan filed his nomination. “No other central BJP leader is scheduled to campaign in Kaiserganj. Also, saansad ji (Brij Bhushan) is also not going outside Kaiserganj,” said a BJP leader and an associate of Brij Bhushan. The MP’s elder son Prateek Bhushan, who is the Gonda MLA, has also been addressing public meetings for brother Karan.

Even as Prateek and Karan himself are appealing for votes to ensure the formation of a BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, Brij Bhushan is also looking for sympathy for himself.

Addressing a gathering of Yadav and Muslim voters in Colonelganj area on Sunday, Brij Bhushan appealed for their contribution in the election of Karan Bhushan as MP and Modi as Prime Minister.

“Yeh vishesh paristhiti ka chunav hai. yeh Karan Bhushan ke paksh me ek ek diya hua vote jo 500-km dur baith kar ke hamari barbadi ka nazara dekhna chahte hai unke gaal ka thappd hoga… Kaiserganj ki janta ka jawab hoga. Wo aapka vote hi nahi hai, wo karara thappad hai unke muh par jo log wahan baithe baithe mujhe barbard hote hue dekhna chahte hai,” (This election is amid special circumstances. Every vote in favour of Karan Bhushan will be a slap on the face of those sitting 500 km away and want my destruction. That will be a reply from the Kaiserganj public.”)

He added, “…aaj hum thoda sankat me hai, museebat me hai…Iss sankat ke samay aapka samarthan maang rahe hai.” (I am in trouble these days. I am seeking your support in this time of crisis.)

In another public meeting in Colonelganj, Brij Bhushan said that the people wanted to elect him as MP and he was preparing for the elections but it was Karan Bhushan who was chosen as the BJP candidate.

Calling the case against him a “conspiracy”, Brij Bhushan said that a similar conspiracy was hatched against him in 1996 too when he was jailed under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). “The result was that my wife was elected as MP. There were 13 people (accused), of whom 12 were convicted and only Brij Bhushan was acquitted. But the game was played… and the result was that Ketki Singh (his wife) was elected as the MP. A similar conspiracy has been done this time too.”

Referring to the case against him, Singh said that has been “facing struggle for over one year and five months” now. “There is no date or day, no statement and no evidence. I am struggling. I was to assure you that no court in the world can implicate me in this case and I will be acquitted. Because there is no truth (to the allegations).”

Singh remarks came days after a Delhi court ordered framing of charges against him in a case in which six women wrestlers had levelled allegations of sexual harassment against him.

Singh on Saturday also claimed that his hard work too was behind the success of the wrestlers who won medals. In a public meeting in Tarabganj Assembly area on Saturday, Singh said that victory of Karan Bhushan was certain but if he wins with a big margin that will be a slap on the face of those who are sitting 500-km far and want to see “barbadi of Brij Bhushan”.

Looking for sympathy, Singh is said that he was struggling from past 1.25 years. “And I will be given reply of this to them. I will answer in the court. But if you ensure BJP’s win by five lakh or more votes, that will be a slap on their face, you have to remember this.”

Singh also claimed that entire country was keenly watching the election in Kaiserganj. Singh claimed that he has support from across the country and a majority of the people in Haryana too support him. “But there are few people who wish to see drama. The reply to them is that we ae standing with our leader in every situation,” said Brij Bhushan. “Meri taakat badhegi, mera manobal badhega, meri sangharsh karne ki chhamta badhegi.((Victory)… will boost my strength, mental strength and ability to
overcome struggle.)”