Even after bail from the Allahabad High Court, strongman Dhananjay Singh has been released. Upon his release from jail, Singh has taken the helm of his wife Shrikala's election campaign. In a special conversation with Aaj Tak, Singh addressed many questions and stated that the entire case against him was fabricated. There were ongoing complaints about quality in the Namami Gange project, which were being addressed after discussions with the Jal Nigam engineers and company officials.
In the special talk, Singh claimed that the entire case was fabricated. Continuous complaints about the Namami Gange project's quality led to discussions with the Jal Nigam engineers and the company. At that time, the ruling BJP's departmental minister had self-interests that led to a lawsuit against me at 10:30 in the night, an arrest within 3 hours, and a subsequent sentence.
The narrative being spun is very wrong: Dhananjay Singh
Now, a public representative cannot even raise the voice of the people. This is about suppressing the voice. In democracy, shall we stop raising our voice against wrongdoing? This seems to be an attempt to establish a strange type of governance. Every citizen of this country is patriotic, it does not mean they are from the BJP; not everyone who worships Ram is from the BJP. The narrative that's being spun is incorrect.
I had no suspicion at all. I was told I needed to appear in court. I went out of respect for the court and was then found guilty and incarcerated. When I became an MLA for the first time in 2002, Kripa Shankar Singh from Congress was a minister. I ran as an independent, and he didn't even manage to save his deposit. I was aware of Kripa Shankar Singh's political sphere. In 2005, I helped his nephew become a district panchayat member. His nephew has recently lost an election for block head. I stay among the public and practice politics.
'The BJP could not save its deposit'
He further stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party couldn't save its deposit in his presence. The first time I was incarcerated, I specifically mentioned reasons for being jailed. The case was then discussed in the legislative council committee. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of the DM, which submitted a report against the contractor company's quality. This proves my statements true. I left JD(U) with Lalan Singh. I never tried to seek a BJP ticket; I always prepare as an independent candidate.
Dhananjay Singh shared that when he was with JD(U), he had the impression that the India alliance would yield good results, with Jaunpur's seat possibly being spared. However, when JD(U) unexpectedly became part of NDA and did not receive any seat-sharing in Bihar, I chose to walk my own path. The BJP candidate here had issues with me, which is perhaps why my jail was changed, or they knew that after 5 months, I could receive bail. Every hour and day count during the elections, so I was sent far away.
'I ensured his village had lights...'
Kripa Shankar Singh is a candidate from the ruling party. All his energy goes into harming me somehow. He has no issues of his own. The election in Jaunpur is about local issues. The day he took a BJP ticket, he started avoiding our relationship, but we have ties. We visited each other’s homes. As an MP, I facilitated lights and hand-pumps in his village. He is also a voter in our area.
Speaking about his wife's claims, Singh mentioned that he was not very knowledgeable about the matter. Any woman would worry about her husband. Politics have been degenerating over the past four decades with caste and religion affecting it. So, this isn't a new issue. The disease is spreading, and everyone who is responsible must make efforts to steer politics in a right direction.
The BJP won’t win all 543 seats: Dhananjay Singh
In response to a question, Singh said that the judiciary is not somewhere to just appeal my case. I’m telling you, as the fourth pillar, that injustice has been done to me. The public knows it too. I don’t need to plead with anyone. In a democracy, the people’s court is the highest, and the people here understand that an injustice has been done to me. I am not engaging in the business of politics for gain or loss.
There are 543 seats in the country, not all will be won by the BJP. Everyone is engaged in their politics. BJP had to compromise with Om Prakash Rajbhar, Anupriya Patel, Sanjay Nishad, even while being a national party. I am concerned only with the politics of my district, for its betterment.
Crossing paths with Akhilesh Yadav at a wedding ceremony
On the question of meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Singh explained that the encounter occurred during a wedding ceremony, where we discussed seat distributions within the India block. However, I’ve always prepared to contest as an independent candidate. If any collaboration has provided support, I am grateful to them, regardless of the extent.
On the query about not approaching the Supreme Court after being sentenced by a lower court, Dhananjay Singh said that we were going to go to the Supreme Court. However, in Kejriwal’s case, the Supreme Court remarked that it would not immediately hear political matters. We will appeal in the apex court after elections. When there is a struggle with power, conspiracies occur.
'The opposition needs space'
Addressing the BJP conflict, Singh commented that a narrative was spun that I was clashing with the BJP's top leadership when in fact, it was fabricated to cover up corruption in Namami Gange. The Prime Minister is for everyone. The Home Minister of India is powerful. What issue could I possibly have with them? The Prime Minister should give space to the opposition. In politics, the opposition needs its space.
