The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled popular Bhojpuri film star and singer Pawan Singh from the party for alleged ‘anti-party activities’ and ‘maligning the image of the party’. Singh had recently joined the BJP with the intention of contesting the Lok Sabha election from his hometown Ara (Bhojpur). However, the party fielded him from the Asansol seat in West Bengal, which Singh declined for ‘personal reasons’. Subsequently, Singh filed his nomination papers from the adjoining Karakat seat as an independent candidate, citing his ‘mother’s wish’ as the reason behind his decision. Singh’s move garnered considerable attention, particularly among young voters and upper caste Rajput voters, the community to which he belongs.
The BJP’s decision to expel Singh was met with mixed reactions. Some party leaders expressed support for the move, arguing that Singh’s actions amounted to ‘anti-party activities’ and ‘maligning the image of the party’. Others, however, expressed disappointment, suggesting that the party should have handled the situation differently. Singh’s mother, Pratima Devi, had also filed her nomination papers from the seat on May 14 but withdrew her candidature after a few days.
The Karakat Lok Sabha seat comprises six assembly segments, all of which are currently represented by RJD MLAs. The constituency is scheduled to vote in the seventh phase of polling in Bihar on June 1.
