Former Faizabad MP objects to ‘mafia presence’, walks out of BJP press meet in Ayodhya

Senior BJP leader and former Faizabad MP Lallu Singh objected to the alleged presence of the mob during a press conference and left the dais set up for the meeting.

“I cannot sit with the mafia,” Lallu Singh said as he abruptly left the press conference organised by the BJP state leadership in Ayodhya on Wednesday.

While Lallu Singh did not name any individuals, he pointedly pointed to BJP leader and Block Pramukh Sangh president Shivendra Singh, who was sitting on the dais.

“The mafia was present on stage and I can never associate myself with such elements. I have consistently fought against the mafia because they exploit and oppress the society,” said Lallu Singh.

The press conference was convened by BJP state general secretary Sanjay Rai at the Ayodhya Circuit House on Wednesday over the party’s ongoing membership drive.

Shivendra Singh was arrested for attempt to murder and was lodged in Faizabad Jail under the Gangsters Act in 2018. He was later shifted to Barabanki Jail.

“Former MP Lallu Singh conspired with notorious criminals and hardened history-makers throughout his election campaign, which ultimately led to his downfall in the elections,” Shivendra Singh said.

He added, “Interestingly, he has enlisted the support of Santosh Singh Ghatampur, a top criminal accused in multiple loot, attempt to murder and murders, to join his campaign team.” Shivendra Singh stressed, “As a BJP leader, I have consistently extended my support to Lallu Singh during his election campaigns.” Shivendra Singh also shared his pictures with Lallu Singh.

When asked when he joined the BJP, Shivendra said, “I have been with the BJP since my college days. I have never switched to any other party. I contested the student elections as an ABVP candidate.”

“I have had a number of cases pending against me since my student days in politics,” he added.

When contacted, Rajneesh Singh, BJP spokesperson in Ayodhya, said, “I have no idea when Shivendra Singh joined the BJP. However, Lallu Singh has always maintained political decorum throughout his political career. He has consistently distanced himself from criminals in his political endeavours and never associated with them.”

In June, Lallu Singh lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat to Samajwadi Party’s Awadhesh Prasad, the INDIA bloc candidate, by a margin of 54,567 votes. Prasad got 5,54,289 votes and Singh got 4,99,722 votes.