‘Baseless and Malicious’: Manipur MLA Rajen Singh rejects allegations made by woman in viral video

A fresh controversy has erupted in Manipur after a viral video surfaced on social media raising questions over the moral character of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh. The controversy was triggered by a video in which a woman alleged that she had spent a night with the MLA at a hotel in New Delhi, a claim that quickly drew criticism and sparked debate online. Rajen Singh, however, has denied the allegations, asserting that no such incident ever took place and described the viral clip as a calculated attempt to defame him and orchestrate a “political assassination” of his long-standing public career.

In the viral video, a woman is seen claiming that she had spent a night with the MLA at a hotel in New Delhi in 2023 and that she was allegedly paid Rs 50,000 for the encounter. According to the woman’s statement in the video, the arrangement had reportedly been facilitated by one of her relatives.

The clip, which was widely circulated on social media platforms, quickly triggered sharp criticism and debate among netizens, with many questioning the moral conduct of the veteran legislator.

Responding swiftly to the allegations, Rajen Singh released a clarification video dismissing the claims as “completely false and malicious propaganda.” He asserted that the allegations were part of a deliberate conspiracy orchestrated by vested interests seeking to malign his image and undermine his long political career.

“It is very unfortunate that a Facebook account named Thoithoi Chain has made such claims of spending one night at Hotel Ashoka. The incident is completely fake and aimed at defaming me. I do not know who that woman is. I have never stayed in that hotel before and will never stay there in the future,” Rajen Singh said in his statement.

The BJP legislator further suggested that the woman appearing in the video might have been threatened or persuaded by certain groups seeking political advantage. According to him, the controversy was deliberately manufactured to tarnish his reputation ahead of political developments in the state.

Rajen Singh also highlighted his long public career, noting that he has served as an MLA since 1995 and has held several ministerial portfolios during his tenure. He emphasised that throughout his political journey he has never been involved in any controversy that could raise questions about his personal integrity.

Describing the viral clip as a “political assassination attempt,” he challenged those behind the video to reveal the identity of the woman instead of masking her face and to produce verifiable evidence if the allegations were genuine.

“If such an incident really occurred, let them show the woman’s face and produce supporting documents such as hotel records or other proof,” the MLA said.

The episode comes at a time when political circles in Manipur are already on edge following similar allegations against another BJP MLA, Thokchom Satyabrata. In that separate controversy, a woman reportedly claimed that she was paid Rs 1 lakh to spend a night with the legislator at a hotel in Delhi, further fuelling political debate and speculation in the state.