BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who had resigned as the chief of the country's wrestling body amid charges of sexual assault, today defended an upcoming national event being held in his stronghold.
His remarks came at a press conference after he met BJP chief JP Nadda - significantly after the government suspended the Wrestling Federation of India's activities over the "hasty" decision to hold the junior contests.
The sports ministry's action against the newly elected WFI panel came a day after ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh raised concerns over the competition being held in Brij Bhushan's stronghold.
Defending the venue, Brij Bhushan said Nandini Nagar was chosen for the contest since no other regional body was ready to host the tournament.
He said the old committee had decided to host the U-15 and U-20 national competitions and all the 25 regional wrestling bodies had agreed to the proposal.
All further decisions will be taken by the new leadership, asserted the BJP MP as the athletes fear he will be able to retain his control over the wrestling body through his aide, Sanjay Singh, who has succeeded him in the top post.
Brij Bhushan also said he has taken "sanyas", or retired, from wrestling and that he will be busy with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "2024 elections are coming and I will have a lot of work," the six-time MP said.
He also asserted that he won't fight the WFI elections again.
He said the WFI row did not feature in his conversation with Mr Nadda and also denied reports that he had tendered his resignation as an MP.
Brij Bhushan had resigned as the WFI chief after several athletes, including Ms Malikkh and others, hit the streets accusing him of sexual assault. Ms Malikkh quit the sport and another athlete returned his Padma Shri after Sanjay Singh became the new WFI chief.
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