Putting an end to the suspense surrounding the selection of the party candidate for the prestigious Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency, the Bharatiya Janata Party has denied ticket to the sitting Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and instead fielded his son Karan Bhushan from there.
Karan Bhushan, who is the president of UP Wrestling Association, is scheduled to file his nomination papers at 11 am on Friday.
Brij Bhushan’s influence in the Kaiserganj constituency has been profound. Following allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him by women wrestlers, speculations arose regarding BJP’s choices of potential candidate, with suggestions that a relative of the sitting MP might be fielded.
Just days ago, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had remarked, “The name of Kaiserganj resonates not only in Hindustan but across the globe. Our workers are vigilant about the ticket, but the party has remained silent. The wedding procession is ready, but the groom is missing. However, I assert that even if the BJP declares the candidate an hour before, we will secure a resounding victory.”
While the BJP did not field him, it did choose his son as the party candidate from Kaiserganj.
Political analysts suggest that BJP’s decision to stick with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s family has been largely influenced by concerns over the sentiments of the Thakur community. “With Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s substantial influence spanning four neighboring constituencies, the BJP aimed to prevent potential backlash from the Thakur fraternity, fearing their discontent if Brij Bhushan or his family were overlooked for the ticket,” remarked political analyst Suresh Bahadur Singh.
The Thakur community holds significant sway in Uttar Pradesh politics, constituting 6-7 per cent of the electorate. Their historical prominence is evident through the numerous chief ministers and prime ministers hailing from this community since independence. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s stature as a prominent Thakur leader further emphasises the importance of appeasing this influential demographic.
The fallout of the initial phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections also played a crucial role in shaping BJP’s decision-making process. Despite repeating most of the sitting MPs in Uttar Pradesh, the denial of ticket to VK Singh from Ghaziabad and the absence of any Thakur leader in the 27 Lok Sabha constituencies in west UP sparked resentment within the Thakur community. This discontent prompted urgent intervention from the BJP’s top leadership, leading to the concession of awarding the ticket to Brij Bhushan’s son.
This strategic move reflects the party’s concerted efforts to maintain its stronghold in Uttar Pradesh amidst brewing dissent within crucial demographic factions.
The deadline for filing nomination papers in Kaiserganj is May 3, with polling scheduled for May 20.
