‘Being close to Brij Bhushan doesn’t mean…’: New WFI chief Sanjay Singh breaks silence during argument

Sanjay Singh, the newly elected WFI chief, on Saturday asserted that close ties with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh are not a crime and do not mean he is a ‘sham candidate’.

BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh at former residence in New Delhi, Thursday, December 21, 2023. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Sanjay Singh, the newly elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), on Saturday broke his silence on his close ties with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and asserted that his close ties with the former federation chief do not mean he is a ‘dummy’. candidate”. Sanjay Singh also asked whether it was a crime to be close to the BJP MP.

Newly elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh on Saturday stated that retirement is a personal calling of an athlete and said he would recuse himself on the issue.

“The athletes have already started preparing and those who want to get involved in politics can do so. It is their personal matter, I will not talk about this… I have been in the federation for 12 years. The fact that I am close to the MP (Brij Bhushan Singh) does not mean that I am a bogus candidate. Is it a crime if I’m close to him? Sanjay Singh told reporters.

#WATCH | On wrestler Sakshi Malik quitting wrestling, newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh says, “Those who are athletes have already started preparing and those who want to get involved in politics can do so. It is their personal matter , I won’t talk about this… I have been… pic.twitter.com/THqd6Z9eTI

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

Earlier, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, a face of the wrestlers’ protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday. Her decision came within an hour after Sanjay Singh was elected as the new WFI chief, replacing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Sakshi Malik quits in protest

Sanjay Singh’s response comes days after Olympian Sakshi Malik announced her decision to quit wrestling to protest the election of a Brij Bhushan Singh loyalist as the new WFI chief. Addressing a press conference, a teary-eyed Sakshi Malik dramatically put her wrestling boots on the table as she announced her retirement from the sport as a mark of protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist Sanjay Singh winning the WFI elections.

“We fought from our hearts, but if a man like Brij Bhushan, his business partner and close aide is elected president of WFI, I will give up wrestling. From today onwards you will no longer see me on the mat,” said the Olympic bronze medalist in Rio.

#WATCH | Delhi: Wrestler Sakshi Malik breaks down as she leaves after a press conference.

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s aide Sanjay Singh has been elected the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India. pic.twitter.com/Rc85nAkvgy

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

Sakshi Malik is among one of the top wrestlers who leveled allegations of sexual abuse against Brij Bhushan and launched an agitation earlier this year demanding action against the BJP leader.

“We slept on the roads for 40 days and many people from different parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and a close aide is elected president of WFI, I will quit wrestling,” she said, accompanied by some other wrestlers who were part of the protest.

Bajrang Punia returns Padma Shri

A day after Sakshi’s decision, top Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Friday announced that he is returning his Padma Shri after former WFI chief Brij Bhushan’s assistant Sharan Singh was elected president of the Federation.

Punia shared a detailed post on All I have to say is in this letter; this is my statement.”

This will break your heart

Champion wrestler #BajrangPunia gave up his Padmashree award and said he can’t live with the badge anymore 💔pic.twitter.com/YeMR54SGIx

— Amock (@Politics_2022_) December 22, 2023

‘Dabdabaa rahega’

After Sanjay Singh’s victory in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) presidential elections, his close ally Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had emphatically boasted, “Dabdabaa tha, Dabdabba rahega” (domination was there, dominance will remain!).

“A message has been given. Every akhaada in the country bursts with fireworks. Dabdabaa tha, dabdabaa rahega!. I want to give the honor of victory to the country’s wrestlers and the voters. I would also like to thank the government,” said Brij Bhushan, who was forced to resign as WFI president after being accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers. reporters.

#WATCH | Newly elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India Sanjay Singh arrives at the residence of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, “This is not my personal victory, this is the victory of the wrestlers of… pic.twitter.com/JaIJ6XLz1G

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

“This is not my personal victory, this is the victory of the wrestlers of the country. All wrestling activities were halted for 11 months. “I hope that after the formation of the new federation, wrestling events that were suspended for the past 11 months will resume,” he said.

(With input from agencies)