When graft-accused politicians reached wrestlers’ protest site its credibility eroded: Union Minister Lekhi

New Delhi, May 4 (PTI) Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi on Thursday said the credibility of the wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar eroded after “discredited” politicians joined it.

Wrestlers, have levelled sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and sat on a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding his arrest as well as ouster from the WFI post. Various political parties, including the Congress and AAP, have lent their support to the wrestlers.

Hours after a scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers and some police personnel late on Thursday night, Lekhi in a press conference said the Centre was “very sensitively” dealing with the wrestlers’ issue and pointed out that the matter was in court.

“When political people facing cases of ED and corruption charges reach the dharna site, the credibility of the protest is decreased,” she said.

Alleging that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal committed “moral and legal” wrongs in arranging “seven-star facilities” for himself by spending Rs 45 crore on the renovation of his residence, Lekhi said AAP leaders were resorting to “diversionary” tactics by raising the wrestlers’ issue.

She also alleged that several AAP leaders held a meeting recently and planned to join the wrestlers’ protest.