Brij Bhushan Singh claims that he was backing a "dedicated and loyal BJP worker" for a party ticket.
As the BJP gears up for the upcoming civic elections in Uttar Pradesh, one of its MPs has decided to revolt against the party leadership over allocation of tickets. Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan Singh says he will oppose the candidate for the municipal polls and is willing to face the consequences.
Addressing a gathering at his office in Gonda, Mr Singh said he will campaign against the party's official nominee in the Nawabganj municipal seat "even if I have to give up my Lok Sabha membership".
"We were not consulted before distribution of tickets... The party leadership was misled by local leaders. I have fielded my candidate in my native Nawabganj area though he has not been given (the) party symbol," he told his supporters.
Mr Singh also alleged that the candidate fielded by BJP, Anju Singh, has strong links to the BSP and the Samajwadi Party, and is unlikely to win. The lawmaker went on to claim that the candidate he was backing was a "dedicated and loyal BJP worker".
"I am ready to face the consequences for opposing the official party candidate even if I have to give up my Lok Sabha membership," he told news agency PTI. Mr Singh, whose son is also a BJP MLA, further alleged that names suggested by him for other seats were also ignored.
In response to the lawmaker's statements, UP BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, "Brij Bhushan Singh is a senior leader. If there is any issue, he should raise it at an appropriate party forum. It will be resolved. There's internal democracy in the BJP."