Asansol (West Bengal): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised the political curtain in Asansol, West Bengal, by nominating Bhojpuri film actor-singer Pawan Singh as their Lok Sabha candidate. The decision was unveiled today as part of the BJP’s release of the candidate list, featuring 195 names across 16 states.
The announcement marks the culmination of months of speculation surrounding Pawan Singh’s potential entry into the political arena. Interestingly, the actor-singer was at the gym, watching the press conference on his mobile when his candidacy was disclosed. Overwhelmed with joy, Pawan Singh’s friends celebrated the occasion by feeding him sweets.
In what promises to be a riveting electoral battle, Pawan Singh may face off against Bihari Babu Shatrughan Sinha, the current Trinamool Congress MP from Asansol. Sinha, who defeated Agnimitra Pal of the BJP in the 2022 by-election, is likely to be a formidable opponent.
Pawan Singh, hailing from Jokhari village in Bhojpur district, joined the BJP on September 4, 2017. He follows in the footsteps of Bhojpuri industry stalwarts Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, and Dinesh Lal Yadav, who have previously contested and won Lok Sabha elections on the BJP ticket.
Notably, Pawan Singh had met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on January 31, expressing his readiness for political engagement pending official orders. The Bhojpuri sensation had earlier met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar BJP in-charge Vinod Tawde in Delhi in April 2023, sparking speculation about his entry into active politics in Bihar.
Despite facing an ongoing divorce case with his second wife Jyoti Singh, Pawan Singh remains undeterred in his political pursuits. Having become a household name through Bhojpuri pop albums, particularly with the release of the iconic ‘Lolly Pop Lagelu’ in 2008, Pawan Singh is poised to bring his star power to the political stage.
The journey from the gym to the electoral battleground has just begun for Pawan Singh, and the unfolding chapters promise to be both dramatic and defining.
