Miffed over being denied ticket from Nawada, Giriraj accuses Bihar BJP of 'letting him down'

An emotional Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Giriraj Singh on Monday accused the Bihar BJP leadership of letting him down by "violating" his self-respect by denying him a ticket from Nawada (Bihar) Lok Sabha constituency, a seat which he won in 2014.

The BJP leader also asserted that he holds no grudges against his party's central leadership.

"I am sad only because of Bihar BJP leadership. This decision (to field him from Begusarai) was taken without taking me into confidence. My self-respect has been violated," he told ANI.

"I was hoping to contest election from Begusarai in 1996 and 2014 but the party leadership said Bhola Singh wants to contest from Begusarai. I was fielded from Navada (then)," he said and added that he has worked very hard for the welfare of the people of Navada.

He asked for an explanation behind this decision.

"They (Bihar BJP leadership) should give me some reason. This is hurting me inside. I can't compromise on my self-respect," the Union Minister said.

Singh further claimed that he was assured of a ticket from a "seat of his choice" by Chirag Paswan and Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai.

"Chirag Paswan told me that I can contest from whichever seat I want. Nityanand Rai also said it. Chirag Paswan even said that I didn't take it (Nawada seat). NDA gave it to me. This hurt me even more," the BJP leader said.

Giriraj Singh has be vocal about his desire to contest from Nawada. However, BJP has decided to field him from Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency.