The Candidate: Political odyssey of Arjun Singh; Unraveling enigma of shifting loyalties

In the intricate tapestry of Indian politics, there's a person who's both fascinating and puzzling. That person is Arjun Singh. His name is known in the halls of power, not just as a politician, but as a mysterious figure. Arjun Singh, a prominent figure in Indian politics, was born on February 2, 1963, in Chalwara, Himachal Pradesh, to Rattan Chand and Leela Devi. He pursued his education with diligence, earning an MA in History from HP University and a BEd from Jammu and Kashmir. Arjun Singh married Arti Thakur, and together they have three children.

From farming to politics

Despite hailing from an agricultural background, Arjun Singh’s destiny led him down the path of politics. His academic pursuits did not deter his passion for public service. However, his burgeoning political aspirations compelled him to discontinue his studies and fully commit to his political journey.

Early political endeavors

Arjun Singh made his political debut in 1995 by clinching victory in the Bhatpara Municipality Election as a councilor, representing the Indian National Congress. Subsequently, he aligned himself with the Trinamool Congress contested the state assembly election in 2001, and emerged victorious against his nearest opponent. This marked the commencement of his enduring tenure in the Bhatpara Assembly, where he served with dedication for several consecutive terms.

A rollercoaster of political alliances

Throughout his political career, Arjun Singh displayed a proclivity for shifting allegiances. After a successful stint with the Trinamool Congress, he made a big move by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2019. His decision was followed by his candidacy in the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Barrackpore Parliamentary seat, where he secured victory as a BJP candidate.

However, Singh's political journey was marked by twists and turns. In May 2022, he made headlines by returning to the Trinamool Congress, citing reasons related to the closure of jute mills in Barrackpore. Despite his brief rejoining, Singh once again surprised many by switching sides and rejoining the BJP on 15 March 2024, after the Trinamool Congress denied him a ticket for the Lok Sabha election.

Criminal record of Arjun Singh

Arjun Singh, representing the BJP in the Barrackpore constituency, finds himself in the spotlight due to the staggering number of criminal cases against him, as per a statement by ADR. With a total of 93 cases, Singh’s legal battles encompass a wide array of charges, ranging from criminal intimidation to forgery and grievous hurt.

The detailed breakdown of his criminal record:

• 27 charges under IPC Section-506 for criminal intimidation.
• 26 charges under IPC Section-468 for forgery for the purpose of cheating.
• 24 charges under IPC Section-325 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
• 23 charges under IPC Section-406 for criminal breach of trust.
• 23 charges under IPC Section-420 for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
• 23 charges under IPC Section-467 for forgery of valuable security, will, etc.
• 23 charges under IPC Section-409 for criminal breach of trust by a public servant, or by banker, merchant, or agent.
• 21 charges under IPC Section-307 for attempt to murder.
• 13 charges under IPC Section-326 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
• 7 charges under IPC Section-436 for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc.
• 6 charges under IPC Section-333 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty.
• 4 charges under IPC Section-379 for punishment for theft.
• 4 charges under IPC Section-505 for statements conducing to public mischief.