Minutes after rumours went viral on social media, Raja Singh clarified that he would stay in the BJP till his last breath.
Raja Singh in Ram Navami rally in Hyderabad in 2023. (South First/Sumit Jha)
Suspended BJP MLA T Raja Singh met Telangana’s Finance Minister T Harish Rao at his residence in Narsingi on Friday, 14 July, sparking rumours that he might join the BRS.
Even as the rumours spread on social media along with a video of the MLA leaving the minister’s residence, Singh clarified that he would stay in the BJP till his last breath.
He said he would not join any other party even if the BJP did not revoke his suspension, adding that he would work for the protection of Hindu dharma. He clarified that his meeting with the minister was over pending issues in his constituency.
Singh said he discussed the construction of a government hospital in the Goshamahal Assembly constituency. Refuting rumours that he was joining the BRS, Singh said he sought funds for taking up various development works in his constituency.
भगवा और भाजपा मेरी रगों में है…. pic.twitter.com/t7gtsMPrGA
— Raja Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@TigerRajaSingh) July 14, 2023
On 23 August, 2022, the BJP suspended Singh from the party, hours after the Hyderabad police arrested him for allegedly making controversial statements and outraging the feelings of a particular religious community.
The letter signed by Om Pathak, Member Secretary, Central Disciplinary Committee, BJP, stated that Singh had expressed views contrary to the party’s position on various matters.
Singh had posted a video on YouTube allegedly referring to a particular community and an upcoming stand-up comedy show by Munawar Faruqui in Hyderabad.
A few weeks ago, film actor-turned-politician Vijayashanthi tweeted stating that the party cadre strongly felt that the BJP was delaying revoking Singh’s suspension.
“Everyone, including Telangana BJP State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar wholeheartedly wants to revoke the suspension on Raja Singh. We strongly believe that the same would happen,” she tweeted.
Her tweet put the party’s high command in a tight spot.
Her tweet came before G Kishan Reddy replaced Bandi Sanjay as the party’s state chief.
Singh was released in November 2022 after the Telangana High Court set aside his arrest under the provisions of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act.
Since then, Singh has been staying away from party activities. The only event in which he took part was the Sri Rama Navami Shobha Yatra procession on 30 March, 2023.
Singh is the only BJP candidate, who won the Assembly elections in 2018 while all others lost. Given his popularity and mass appeal not only in Telangana but also elsewhere in the country, the BJP central leadership might revoke his suspension.
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