“We see them as speculative reports and we have no comments to make on them,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said

The BJP’s heavyweight MP and former wrestling boss Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh won’t be contesting the Lok Sabha polls this time. The BJP has instead named his son Karan Bhushan Singh as its candidate from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj.  The announcement, made this afternoon, puts a lid on the speculation surrounding the Kaiserganj seat and its high-profile MP. 

Besides announcing the name of Karan Bhushan Singh, the BJP named Pratap Singh as its candidate from Congress stronghold Rae Bareli. The Congress is yet to name its pick from the prestige seat, earlier held by Sonia Gandhi. 

A six-term MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh suffered a massive political setback due to sexual harassment allegations against him that saw some of the country’s top wrestlers hit the streets. The allegations also prompted the BJP to look for another option, as it did not want the row to ruin its poll prospects in the politically-significant state. The party, however, knows the political clout Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh holds in the area. Hence, it has chosen his son as his replacement. 

Sources in the BJP had earlier told NDTV that the party leadership had spoken to him on the issue and that the heavyweight politician was still insisting on a poll pass.

His elder son Pratik Bhushan Singh is an MLA. Karan Bhushan Singh currently heads the Uttar Pradesh wrestling body.

Kaiserganj votes on May 20 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha election. The last date of filing nomination is tomorrow. 

The president of Wrestling Federation of India for over a decade, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh hit headlines early last year when the country’s top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, accused him of sexually harassing women wrestlers and staged a massive protest in the national capital.

The BJP heavyweight has denied the allegations. The case against him is pending before a Delhi court.

Last month, the BJP leader had blamed the media for the delay in the announcement of the party’s Kaiserganj candidate. “You (media) people need not worry. The announcement of my candidature is getting delayed because of you people,” he said.

Congress leader’s alleged “better to vote for the BJP than TMC” video clip has kicked off a sumptuous controversy with Trinamool, an ally in the big-tent Opposition bloc INDIA, taking the stab of criticism not so lightly.

“The Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha is saying, ‘vote for BJP or Congress’. Think about it, there is neither ideology nor ideals. Some selfish people like him have sold off the country,” said Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha, is heard saying “it’s better to vote for the BJP than to vote for the TMC” in an eight-second video clip during an election rally in Bengal’s Murshidabad on Tuesday. NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of the clip.

The Congress, however, was quick to label the video “doctored” and has sought help from the Election Commission.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress’ comm boss, said the goal of his party is to bring down the numbers of the BJP in Bengal, underscoring that the Trinamool is part of the INDIA bloc.

The two parties, however, are not in alliance in the state.

“I do not know the context of what Adhir ji said, but we aim to reduce the numbers of BJP in West Bengal significantly,” Mr Ramesh said.

“They won 18 out of 42 seats, we have to reduce their numbers and that is the only goal. This is not an assembly election, this is a Lok Sabha election. Congress, along with Left parties, is part of the INDIA bloc, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has also said they are part of the INDIA bloc, though we are not in a seat-sharing arrangement,” he said.

The Trinamool holds Mr Chowdhury, a fierce critic of Mamata Banerjee, responsible for the  breakdown of seat-sharing discussions with Congress in the state.

In a post on X, the Trinamool said after acting as the “eyes and ears of BJP in Bengal,” Mr Chowdhury has now been promoted to be the “voice of the BJP in Bengal”.

“Listen to how the B-Team member is openly asking people to vote for the BJP – a party that refused to release Bengal’s rightful dues and deprived our people of their rights. Only a Bangla-Birodhi can campaign for the BJP, which has repeatedly insulted Bengal’s icons,” the Trinamool said.

On Wednesday, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee, the No. 2 in the party, accused Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Bengal Congress chief, of being an agent of the BJP and held him responsible for obstructing the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc in the state.

“We all wanted the INDIA bloc to happen in Bengal. But Chowdhury prevented it to strengthen the hands of the BJP,” the Trinamool general secretary said.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, The Trinamool won 22 out of 42 seats in the state, BJP 17, and Congress got two seats.