LS polls: BJP MP Upendra Singh Rawat withdraws candidature amidst allegations of obscene video

LUCKNOW: In a surprising turn of events, BJP MP Upendra Singh Rawat has withdrawn his candidature from the Barabanki seat in Uttar Pradesh following the circulation of an alleged obscene video purportedly featuring him.

Rawat, the incumbent MP from Barabanki, was among the candidates listed in the BJP’s initial list for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The controversy erupted soon after his nomination when a video surfaced online, allegedly depicting Rawat in a compromising situation with a woman of foreign nationality.

Denying the authenticity of the video, the Barabanki MP swiftly filed a police report, asserting the footage to be fabricated and aimed at besmirching his reputation.

In an official statement shared on his social media platform, Rawat addressed the issue, stating: “An edited video of mine is being made viral which is generated by DeepFake AI technology, for which I have lodged an FIR. In this regard, I have requested the national president to get it investigated. I will not contest any election in public life until I am proven innocent.”

The incident comes against the backdrop of the BJP’s recent announcement on February 2, unveiling its initial slate of 195 candidates for the impending Lok Sabha polls, which notably included 34 ministerial figures.

With Rawat’s voluntary withdrawal from the electoral race, the political landscape in Barabanki undergoes a significant shift, leaving the constituency’s future

representation uncertain.