The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled Bhojpuri singer-turned-politician Pawan Singh for his decision to contest independently in Bihar’s Karakat Lok Sabha constituency, going against the party’s official candidate backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“Pawan Singh has been suspended with immediate effect from the BJP for contesting as an independent candidate from the Karakat Lok Sabha seat in Bihar against the party’s decision. This act is considered anti-party. The decision to suspend Singh has been taken by Bihar BJP president Samrat Chaudhary,” the party said in a statement.
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In response to Singh’s decision, the Bihar BJP stated, “You are contesting the Lok Sabha elections against the official candidate of the NDA. This act of yours is against the party, which has tarnished the party’s image and violated party discipline. Therefore, as per the orders of the Honorable State President, you are expelled from the party for this anti-party activity.”
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Samrat Choudhary commented on the decision, saying, “It’s obvious if someone contests election against the party, such actions are taken at the party’s level.”
The Karakat constituency, scheduled for voting on June 1 in the final phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, witnesses Singh’s rebellion against the NDA’s designated candidate, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha.
Singh’s decision to contest from Karakat follows his withdrawal from the Lok Sabha race in Asansol, West Bengal, earlier this year, after declining a BJP ticket due to controversies surrounding his music videos and films. The BJP had subsequently nominated Surinderjeet Singh Ahluwalia for the Asansol seat.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP-led NDA had swept the state, winning 39 out of 40 seats, while the Congress managed to secure only one. The formidable Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) failed to secure any seats.