After a surprising turn of events, Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh has announced his decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Asansol constituency on a BJP ticket, just 10 days after initially declaring his withdrawal from the race.Pawan Singh’s sudden change of heart comes after his name was included in the BJP’s first list of candidates, which comprised 195 names, on March 2. Initially, he had declined to contest citing personal reasons, sparking speculation that Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh might replace him in the Asansol constituency.
Despite Pawan Singh’s earlier decision, the BJP had refrained from initiating any election-related activities in Asansol. However, in a recent announcement on his X handle, Pawan Singh expressed his reconsideration to contest, citing the wishes of his mother and the electorate as driving factors.This isn’t Pawan Singh’s first foray into electoral politics, as he had previously contested unsuccessfully from Uttar Pradesh. The BJP’s decision to field him in Asansol, a constituency with a significant Hindi-speaking population, underscores the party’s strategic considerations.Meanwhile, the Trinamul Congress has already named sitting MP Shatrughan Sinha as its candidate for the Asansol seat. Sinha is currently engrossed in his election campaign across the seven Assembly constituencies under the parliamentary seat.
It remains to be seen whether the BJP will permit Pawan Singh to file his nomination or opt for an alternative candidate for the Asansol constituency. The BJP aims to wrest the Asansol Lok Sabha seat from the Trinamul Congress, but challenges persist following the departure of former BJP leader Babul Supriyo and the party’s subsequent organizational setbacks.Criticism has emerged from various quarters regarding Pawan Singh’s nomination, with state minister Babul Supriyo, Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh, and former MP Mahua Moitra highlighting concerns over the content of Singh’s songs, alleging them to be derogatory towards women in Bengal.As the political landscape in Asansol continues to evolve, Pawan Singh’s re-entry into the electoral fray adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with implications for both the BJP and its rivals.
