“I am being unjustly targeted”: BJP MP Jayant Sinha responds to the party’s Show Cause Notice, says he was “Surprised” to receive the Letter

Jayant Sinha, the incumbent Hazibagh BJP MP who was issued a show cause notice by the party said that he was “surprised” to have received the letter and discover that it was also released to the media. Sinha was issued a showcase letter by the BJP leadership for “maligning” the party’s image by allegedly not casting his vote and for not taking part in any organizational work and campaigning in the days leading up to the elections ever since Manish Jaiswal was fielded from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh seat.

"I was very surprised to receive your letter and discover that you have released it to the media as well," said Sinha responding to BJP state general secretary Aditya Sahu. “After consulting with Shri Nadda ji and getting his explicit approval, I made it clear publicly that I was not going to be involved in these elections. I am happy to support the party on economic and governance policies and have continued to do so,” he added.

Responding to the allegation of not being available for organizational work and campaigning after Manish Jaiswal was fielded from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh seat; Sinha said that he “demonstrated unwavering support for the party’s choice.” “The party announced Shri Manish Jaiswal ji as its candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. My endorsement was evident when I congratulated Shri Jaiswal ji on 8 March 2024, an event that was well-documented on social media and demonstrated my unwavering support for the party's choice,” said the incumbent Hazaribagh MP.

“Meanwhile, if the party had wanted me to participate in any election activities, you could surely have contacted me. However, not a single senior party official or MP/MLA from Jharkhand reached out to me post my announcement on 2 March 2024. I was not invited for any party events, rallies, or organizational meetings,” said Sinha responding to why he did not get involved in any organizational work in the days leading up to the elections.

In his two page letter addressed to BJP state general secretary Aditya Sahu, Jayant Sinha said that he was not present on the polling day owing to “pressing commitments overseas”, however, he did cast his vote via postal ballot after having informed the Speaker. “After informing the Hon'ble Speaker, I left India on 10 May 2024 to attend to some pressing personal commitments overseas. The party had not asked me to participate in any events, so I saw no reason to stay. Before leaving India, I sent my vote through the postal ballot process. Therefore, it is wrong for you to allege that I did not exercise my responsibility to vote,” said Sinha.

Jayant Sinha then went onto highlight the work that he has done for the party in the 25 years of service to BJP. “Given my contributions to the party and the circumstances detailed above, the public issuance of your letter is unseemly. Your approach demoralizes dedicated party workers and undermines the party's collective efforts. Additionally, despite my loyalty and hard work for the party, it appears that I am being unjustly targeted… You could have reached me at any time. To send me a letter after the elections are over, is incomprehensible,” Sinha said.

Back in March, amidst speculations that he may not be fielded as a candidate, Jayant Sinha had requested Party President JP Nadda to relieve him of his direct electoral duties. “I have requested Hon’ble Party President Shri @JPNadda ji to relieve me of my direct electoral duties so that I can focus my efforts on combating global climate change in Bharat and around the world. Of course, I will continue to work with the party on economic and governance issues,” posted the Hazaribagh MP on “X”.