An in depth aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP and former chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who got here beneath fireplace for sexual harassment allegations, was right this moment elected the brand new president of the wrestling physique.
Sanjay Singh gained 40 out of 47 votes in a sweeping victory over Anita Sheoran, a Commonwealth Video games gold medallist who was backed by high wrestlers who had taken to the streets earlier this over sexual harassment allegations in opposition to Mr Singh, a six-time MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj who has led the wrestling physique for 12 years.
Sanjay Singh has earlier served as vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh wrestling physique. He was a part of the WFI’s final government council and its joint secretary since 2019.
In one other vital improvement, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who was within the race for the vice-president submit, misplaced the election.
Apart from the highest submit of president, election had been held to replenish posts for a senior vice-president, 4 vice-presidents, a secretary normal, a treasurer, two joint secretaries and 5 government members.
Ace wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who led the agitation in opposition to Mr Singh, had been promised that none of his relations or aides can be allowed to contest the elections. So, Brij Bhushan’s son Prateek and son-in-law Vishal Singh didn’t enter the race, however his aide Sanjay Singh’s nomination was cleared.
Sanjay Singh and his associates had earlier mentioned they’d the help of wrestling federations from most states. The wrestling fraternity, he had mentioned, is aware of who labored for the betterment of sports activities and can maintain it in thoughts whereas casting their vote. “I’m successful his election,” he instructed NDTV earlier.
The method for the WFI election started in July, however court docket instances stored delaying it. This led to the worldwide wrestling physique suspending WFI. The Supreme Court docket lately put aside a keep imposed by the Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket, clearing the decks for the polls.
Amid the celebrations after his win, Mr Singh termed it a “very massive victory of fact over lies”. “They levelled such allegations in opposition to an individual whose character doesn’t have a spot for these tendencies,” he mentioned.
On a query on whether or not he’s near the BJP MP, Sanjay Singh mentioned, “After all, little question I’m near him.” Requested about considerations of a bit of wrestlers about how the federation would perform now, he mentioned, “There can be no injustice in opposition to any lady wrestler.”
