Patna: Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh, once considered a prominent face of the BJP’s outreach among Bhojpuri-speaking voters, appears to be increasingly absent from the party’s major political activities, triggering speculation about growing distance between him and the saffron camp.
From missing out on the BJP’s campaign push during the recent West Bengal Assembly elections to staying away from the swearing-in ceremony of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, political observers say several developments point towards a visible cooling of ties.
While neither the BJP nor Pawan Singh has officially acknowledged any rift, a series of political and public developments over the past year have intensified discussions in Bihar’s political circles.
Four Major Signals Behind the Speculation
No Rajya Sabha Ticket
After the NDA’s strong performance in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, supporters of Pawan Singh were expecting the Bhojpuri star to be rewarded with a Rajya Sabha nomination.
The actor had also met senior BJP leaders, including Bihar BJP president Nitin Nabin, ahead of the nominations. However, when the BJP announced its final list of Rajya Sabha candidates in March 2026, Pawan Singh’s name was missing.
Instead, the party selected Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Ram. Political insiders suggested that caste equations played a role in the decision, as both Nitin Nabin and Pawan Singh belong to upper-caste communities, while the party also sought Dalit representation.
Missing From Bengal Campaign
During the April-May 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, BJP deployed several Bhojpuri celebrities for campaigning, including Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan and Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’.
However, Pawan Singh was kept out of the party’s list of star campaigners.
Political analysts believe the decision was linked to controversies surrounding some of his Bhojpuri songs during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At the time, the Trinamool Congress had accused him of promoting content offensive to Bengali women, leading to protests in West Bengal.
According to political observers, BJP’s central leadership did not want to risk alienating women voters in Bengal by projecting him prominently during the campaign.
Absence From Samrat Choudhary’s Swearing-In
When Nitish Kumar moved to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month and Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar’s new BJP Chief Minister on May 9, several BJP leaders and celebrities attended the event in Patna.
While Manoj Tiwari and other Bhojpuri personalities remained visible during BJP events, Pawan Singh neither attended the ceremony nor was seen participating in celebrations around the new government formation.
This stood in contrast to November 2025, when Pawan Singh had actively participated in NDA events and campaigned for the alliance during the Bihar Assembly elections. His campaign song supporting the Modi-Nitish alliance had gained significant popularity during the election season.
Limited Public Support on Social Media
Despite having a massive social media following and frequently posting messages on political and social occasions, Pawan Singh has maintained a relatively low profile regarding Bihar’s new BJP-led government.
On April 15, he congratulated Samrat Choudhary for being chosen as the BJP legislature party leader, but he has not publicly posted any message after Choudhary formally took oath as Chief Minister.
Why Are Relations Under Strain?
A political analyst said the BJP remains aware of Pawan Singh’s popularity among Bhojpuri-speaking voters and the Rajput community, making it unlikely for the party to completely distance itself from him.
At the same time, he noted that controversies linked to the actor and his earlier rebellion against the party have made BJP cautious about projecting him prominently.
“The BJP does not want to upset its core Rajput voter base by completely isolating Pawan Singh, but the party is also trying to avoid controversies associated with his public image,” he said.
Personal Controversies
Pawan Singh has also remained in the headlines over his ongoing divorce case with his second wife, Jyoti Singh. The matter is reportedly stuck over alimony demands, with Jyoti Singh allegedly seeking Rs 10 crore and a house as part of the settlement.
The issue has frequently surfaced on social media through emotional posts and commentary from public figures, keeping the matter in public discussion.
In another controversy earlier this year, Haryana-based actress and dancer Anjali Raghav accused Pawan Singh of inappropriate behaviour during a stage performance in Lucknow. The matter reached the Haryana Women’s Commission, which issued a notice to the actor before the issue was reportedly settled.
2024 Lok Sabha Election Rebellion
The roots of the strained relationship are also being linked to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP had initially fielded Pawan Singh from the Asansol seat in West Bengal, but the candidature triggered controversy and protests by the Trinamool Congress over some of his past songs.
The ticket was eventually withdrawn. Reports later suggested that the actor expected a Lok Sabha ticket from Bihar, but when that did not happen, he rebelled against the BJP and contested independently from Karakat.
Although he finished second, political analysts believe his candidature hurt NDA nominee Upendra Kushwaha, who eventually lost the election.
Following his independent contest, BJP expelled Pawan Singh from the party on May 22, 2024. He later rejoined the party on September 30, 2025, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Despite his return, the recent political developments indicate that the BJP leadership may still be maintaining a cautious distance from the Bhojpuri star.
