Brij Bhushan’s ‘Rashtra-Katha’ was more political than religious amid political fight

An eight-day spectacle titled “Rashtra-katha Mahotsav” that saw several Rajput bahubalis come together, a bhandara for locals, performances by Bhojpuri singers and attendance of seers from Gorakhpur and Ayodhyaformer MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh did what he did his bestpower assertion.

- SHIKHA SALARIA

Moreover, Brij Bhushan's praise for Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is also being discussed in political circles of Uttar Pradesh. Six-time MP Brij Bhushan had also served as an SP MP once from 2009 onwards but had rejoined the BJP before the 2014 general elections.

Brij Bhushan was removed from the post of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in 2023 leading to his replacement by his loyalist, Sanjay Singh, and the subsequent suspension of the WFI by the Sports Ministry later that year.

He was subsequently denied a ticket by the BJP from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha only to nominate his son Karan Bhushan instead and while his elder son Prateek Bhushan continues to be an MLA from Gonda Sadar, the move ensured that the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha remains with Brij Bhushan’s family.

A Rajput strongman, Brij Bhushan wields enormous influence on Gonda and others districts, namely, Bahraich, Balrampur and Shravasti where he is known to launch zila panchayat chairpersons and block head candidates, thanks to his hold on local politics that is dominated by money and muscle power.

While he is known to hold grand events on January 8his birthday - every year, this year’s