BJP Expels Singer turned Politician Pawan Singh for Contesting Elections against the NDA Candidate

The Bhartiya Janata Party on Wednesday expelled Bhojpuri singer turned politician Pawan Singh for contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate against the official candidate Upendra Kushwaha fielded by the National Democratic Alliance from Bihar’s Karakat seat.

In a letter addressed to Pawan Singh, BJP stated that Singh’s decision to contest independently was “anti-party”. It added that the singer turned politician’s decision not only tarnishes the image of the party, but also blatantly disregards its principles.

"Either he should announce that he would not contest polls against the NDA nominee from Karakat or he should be suspended from the primary membership of the BJP. If he fights elections from Karakat, his suspension from the party will be the appropriate decision. Upendra Kushwa is the NDA candidate, who is Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's nominee," said Union Minister RK Singh expressing his discontentment with Pawan Singh’s move.

Pawan Singh had officially filed his candidature as an independent candidate on May 9, weeks after he had announced that he would contest the all important Lok Sabha elections from Bihar’s Karakat seat. As per reports, Singh had purportedly sought a ticket from RJD, before he decided to contest in the elections independently.

Shortly after the Lok Sabha elections were announced, the Bharatiya Janata Party had fielded Pawan Singh from Bengal’s Asansol seat. However, he withdrew his candidature after the ruling Trinamool Congress of Bengal shared his music videos and accused him of “ridiculing and singling out” Bengali women in his works. The Bharatiya Janata Party had then fielded SS Alhuwalia from the Asansol seat.

Although Singh initially withdrew his candidature, he had later expressed his wish to contest the elections. In a social media post Singh wrote, "I will contest elections to fulfill the promise made to people."

Karakat will go to polling during the 7th phase of the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to take place on June 1. Pawan Singh has pitted himself against NDA’s Upendra Kushwa, AIMIM’s Priyanka Chaudhary and the Mahagatbandhan’s Rajaram Singh. The results will be declared on June 4.