A video of BJP MLA from Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh, enrolling school students as party members under BJP’s much-publicized membership drive, is going viral on social media.
Sushil Singh, nephew of mafia don-turned-politician Brijesh Singh on Wednesday asked the students of the National Inter Collge in Saiyadraja town of the district to fill in membership forms and made them wear saffron ‘angavastram’ with the BJP’s symbol lotus embossed on it. Students were also made to read out the party pledge.
Sushil Singh also addressed the students in their classroom and welcomed them into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fold, giving a special lecture on politics and commitment to the party.
In the viral video, Singh is seen asking the students ‘if anybody was yet to be enrolled’ in the party.
The membership drive was carried out during school hours and classes were suspended for the event. The students were called from the middle of the ongoing classes and asked to enrol into the party.
“Sushil Singh is a ‘baahubali’ (strong man) of the area and no one can dare to refuse his word. A number of children were minors but no one is concerned, ” a senior teacher of the school was quoted as saying by IANS.
District authorities have shown concern and the inspector of schools has instructed for an enquiry over the matter.
However, the MLA has dismissed all the allegations and told the media that he had gone to meet the students considering their demand for a library in the school. Singh has also claimed that the video is being misinterpreted and all the allegations of membership are false.
A party functionary said, “This is the easiest way to fulfil the target. Other leaders can now go to universities and colleges and reach their target within no time.”
The BJP launched its membership drive on July 6 and every constituency has been given a target. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event from Deendayal Upadhyaya Trade Facilitation Centre, Varanasi and presented the target of enrolling 36 lakh new members in the party.
At present, BJP has 1.8 crore members in the state.