Wrestlers vs WFI: Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh defiant over harassment allegations, says 'I am not elected by anyone's mercy'

Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Bharatiya Janata Party MP, said that he will not resign.

Earlier on Friday the WFI chief had called a press conference but cancelled it later and instead his son, Prateek Bhushan, a BJP legislator in UP came out with a statement. The WFI chief’s son said that his father had called upon the Annual General Meeting of the federation on Sunday after which he would issue a formal statement on the controversy.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning the WFI chief had said that there was no question of submitting resignation and that he had not spoken to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) or the Union Home Minister in this regard. He said his resignation would prove that he was guilty which is not so. Singh returned to his home in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh from Delhi last night and held discussion with supporters on the issue.

On Friday morning while leaving to attend the National Open Wrestling Tournament at Nandininagar Stadium in Gonda, Brij Bhushan Singh said that very soon he would expose those who have conspired against him. He indicated that there are some people who instigated wrestlers to speak against him. On wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s allegations of exploitation, Brij Bhushan said that if he opened his mouth it might create a Tsunami.

The BJP MP said that there is a political conspiracy and there are some vested interests who do not want to see the game flourish. “I am being elected by the wrestling bodies of states and not at the mercy of anyone. Why should I resign?” said the WFI president.

Earlier, the WFI president got a shot in the arm with two prominent wrestlers from UP coming out in his support. International Medalist Nar Singh Yadav and well known wrestler and Arjun Awardee Divya Kakran have backed WFI chief saying that the latter has helped players a lot and created transparency. Ms Divya Kakran said because present WFI Chief wrestlers were at an international level provided facilities. Nar Singh Yadav said that the number of medals in the game increased due to the efforts of WFI Chief.