Mumbai: As a few of the prime Indian wrestlers are on protest for over a month towards Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment expenses, a six-year-old story of how the BJP got here to energy in Goa regardless of having misplaced the election provides a peep into the MP’s political utility even outdoors his house turf of Uttar Pradesh.
The get together had introduced Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan — a six-time MP from Gonda, Balrampur and Kaiserganj — to Goa over the last leg of negotiations to win over the Goa Ahead Social gathering (GFP), a regional outfit within the coastal state, a number of leaders from throughout events, together with BJP, in Goa instructed ThePrint.
BJP Goa president Sadanand Tanavade instructed ThePrint that he didn’t know something about Brij Bhushan coming to Goa or his supposed position in authorities formation.
However, Vijai Sardesai of the GFP confirmed Brij Bhushan’s go to to Goa throughout talks for the federal government formation. He, nevertheless, maintained that he joined the BJP-led authorities in 2017 solely as a result of the get together agreed to nominate Manohar Parrikar, who was then the Union defence minister, because the chief minister.
“The BJP management did carry Brij Bhushan to Goa to talk with me. However as I mentioned in my letter of assist to that authorities as effectively, I joined the federal government solely due to Shri Manohar Parrikar,” Sardesai instructed ThePrint.
The bonhomie lasted for 2 years solely as Sardesai’s GFP fell out with the BJP in 2019 and is now a rival of the BJP in Goa.
Brij Sharan couldn’t be reached over the telephone and didn’t reply to ThePrint’s textual content message.
Additionally Learn: ‘Left our rooms in teams to keep away from being alone with him’ — what FIRs towards Brij Bhushan allege
What transpired in 2017
The BJP was within the means of cobbling collectively an alliance of varied events to stake declare on the Goa authorities regardless of the Congress having emerged because the single-largest get together although in need of the half-way mark. The BJP received 13 seats, whereas the Congress had 17 within the 40-member meeting.
Amit Shah, who was the then BJP president, had put Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in command of the operation to kind a BJP-led Goa authorities.
In the direction of the fag finish of the efforts, the BJP management introduced Brij Sharan to Goa.
Brij Sharan’s position, the get together sources mentioned, was to win over Sardesai and his GFP, which had three MLAs, utilizing a standard hyperlink to bond over — wrestling. Sardesai heads the Progressive Wrestling Affiliation of Goa.
Two Goa Congress leaders and a 3rd from the ruling alliance of the Manohar Parrikar-led state authorities of 2017 instructed ThePrint that the BJP first approached and secured the assist of the three MLAs of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Social gathering (MGP), which had been an ally of the BJP in Goa previously as effectively.
They mentioned, in the meantime, after getting the MGP on board, the BJP management despatched Brij Sharan in a non-public jet to Goa.
“Brij Bhushan visited Vijai Sardesai’s residence at a time when the Congress management was additionally in talks with him. The deal for GFP to affix the BJP in forming a authorities in Goa was finalised with Brij Bhushan,” one of many two above-mentioned Goa Congress leaders instructed ThePrint.
The third supply from the 2017 ruling alliance confirmed the main points and added that it was on this assembly that Sardesai put forth his demand for all three GFP MLAs to be state cupboard ministers. “The BJP management was knowledgeable about Sardesai’s choice after talks with Brij Bhushan, and the GFP gave its letter of assist on the situation that Parrikar will take the reins as CM,” he added.
The supply mentioned, Brij Bhushan was additionally current with Gadkari and Parrikar at a resort when all MLAs who had agreed to affix the BJP-led authorities gathered to offer their letters of assist. A couple of media shops had additionally carried {a photograph} of the occasion.
“The BJP excessive command had despatched him to talk to me and create a form of a consolation stage as he was the pinnacle of the Wrestling Federation of India and I occur to move the native wrestling physique. He was right here for a few days,” Sardesai mentioned.
“However, my assist to the federal government was solely due to Parrikar, nothing else. And my position within the wrestling situation on this nation can also be perfunctory,” he added.
Sardesai’s total marketing campaign throughout the election was based mostly on an agenda of ousting the BJP from Goa. Moreover, Sardesai’s Congress roots — with the Goa chief having cut up from the Congress in 2012 — made BJP leaders jittery about the opportunity of Sardesai selecting to again the Congress and prop it to energy, a Goa BJP supply mentioned.
The get together ultimately fashioned a authorities with three MLAs every of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Social gathering (MGP) and some Independents, in addition to assist of the GFP.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Additionally Learn: ‘Pretend information’ — minor wrestler’s father denies criticism towards Brij Bhushan withdrawn
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