“Do you want to meet and talk to Netaji?” asked Vinod Tomar, a co-accused in the sexual harassment case against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
Though he was suspended as the WFI’s assistant secretary in January by the union sports ministry, Tomar claims to still manage the federation’s affairs from its office – located within the residence of BJP MP Singh at Delhi’s Ashoka Road – where he met Newslaundry last week.
Heavily barricaded unlike other properties on the stretch, Brij Bhushan Singh’s residence has a separate entry leading to the WFI’s small office, pictures of Hindu gods adorning nearly each of its walls. Minutes after his question, Tomar led Newslaundry to a massive room, in which – under a big frame of Lord Hanuman – sat the BJP MP on a throne-like chair, surrounded by at least 15 men.
“How are you looking at things?” asked this reporter, about the investigation into the sexual harassment case, the wrestlers’ protest, and its political fallout.
“I am waiting for things to cool down. Wrestlers who had participated in the national tournaments have not been able to receive their certificates and now they will not be able to apply for government jobs. So, the protest has been harmful. But I have been asked to not talk to people,” said the BJP MP, ostensibly referring to the lack of media interviews he has given out amid the controversy.
Singh also talked about how he and Tomar have helped the federation cut down costs by organising tournaments through “cheaper “contracts and shifting the WFI office to his house. “Tomar will share with you all the details with documents.”
Vinod Tomar is yet to share any documents with Newslaundry.
Asked how he felt, Singh said, “I am very happy”.
“Of 50 lakh wrestlers in this country, only nine have turned against me and that too those from one akhada and the same family. So, is it something to feel sad or proud about? Apart from Haryana, there are around 25 to 27 other states which participate in wrestling, but they have not uttered a single word against me,” said Singh.
“Seventy-five percent of wrestlers come from Haryana, but all of the complainants are from one akhada. You may ask anyone. They all say that they want me to be the president otherwise wrestling will be destroyed in this country. Earlier, only five percent of people knew me. Now the whole country knows me. So, then, why would I be sad?”
Asked if the case against him will impact his electoral prospects, the BJP MP said, “I am the one who makes or breaks. Come to my constituency some day.”
Singh announced earlier this month that he would contest the Lok Sabha election next year from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh – he has thrice represented the constituency.
At this point, Tomar waded in. “A few days ago, these wrestlers had posted that the BJP lost an election in Netaji’s constituency. When I asked him about it, he told me that the winner was his man, not the one who lost.”
Brij Bhushan laughed at the remark.
Asked who is closest to Singh within the federation, it was Delhi wrestling federation unit president Jai Prakash who responded. “We are all part of the federation but it is Tomar who is the closest.”
“Because he works hard,” explained Singh.
Under fire amid the wrestlers’ protest, the BJP MP had planned a massive show of strength with a rally in Ayodhya in June, but later announced that it had been postponed. Singh referred to it as a “cause” for which the “entire country came together”. “Just give me one example of one cause for which the entire country came together? And that too when the heroes of this country were alleging something.”
Jai Prakash said, “Netaji, you are the one who made them heroes.”
Brij Bhushan shrugged the comment off and said, “If that Ayodhya rally had happened after this incident, it would have helped. About 22 to 23 lakh people would have participated in it.”
Jai Prakash said the discussion to hold that rally had already taken place, “but there are some political pressures too”.
“A lot of construction work is also going on in Ayodhya. So, it also increased the chances of some accident,” said Singh.
Asked about how that rally would have helped him, Singh said, “Looks like you are in the mood to interview me,” joining his hands and hinting at the end of a conversation with Newslaundry. “We will discuss these personal matters later someday. I will tell you everything once my media trial is over. Not now.”
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