Bihar – Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh appears set for a dramatic political comeback as his recent meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda have triggered widespread speculation about his return to the party fold. The Pawan Singh BJP reconciliation comes just a year after his controversial expulsion and could prove crucial for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Bihar assembly election.
From Expulsion to Reconciliation: A Year of Political Turmoil
The Pawan Singh BJP relationship has been tumultuous, marked by significant controversies throughout 2024. The singer’s political journey took a sharp turn when he was initially granted the party’s Lok Sabha ticket from Asansol in West Bengal, an area with substantial migrant voters. However, the candidature quickly became controversial when the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) highlighted his songs that allegedly “objectified” Bengali women over the years.
Facing mounting pressure, Pawan Singh withdrew his candidature from Asansol without providing an official explanation. This withdrawal, however, was merely the beginning of his complicated relationship with the party.
The Karakat Independent Run and Subsequent Expulsion
The situation escalated when Pawan Singh decided to contest the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate from Bihar’s Karakat constituency, a move that directly challenged the party’s official candidate. This decision led to his immediate expulsion from the BJP. Despite losing the election, he secured significant votes, demonstrating his substantial electoral appeal among voters.
In the Karakat contest, Pawan Singh finished second behind Raja Ram Singh of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, while Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha came third. Kushwaha had indirectly blamed both the BJP and Pawan Singh’s candidature for his defeat at the time.
Strategic Meetings Signal Political Comeback
The recent Pawan Singh BJP rapprochement has been carefully orchestrated through multiple strategic meetings. Before engaging with top BJP leadership, the singer met with Upendra Kushwaha, the RLM chief and Rajya Sabha member who had been adversely affected by his independent candidature in Karakat.
This reconciliation between former rivals is being viewed as a crucial step in consolidating NDA support in the Sahabad region. BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who attended both the Shah and Nadda meetings, confirmed the development: “Kushwaha has given blessings. In the upcoming assembly election, Pawan will work for the NDA as a BJP worker.”
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Tawde emphasized that the Pawan Singh BJP association remains intact, stating that the singer “is with the BJP and will remain so.” Additionally, Pawan Singh met former Ara Lok Sabha member RK Singh as part of his efforts to return to the party.
Potential Constituencies and Electoral Strategy
Sources indicate that the Pawan Singh BJP collaboration will likely see him contest from one of seven assembly seats in Bihar’s Bhojpur region. Two constituencies under particular consideration are Ara and Barhara, both strategically important for the NDA alliance.
When questioned about rejoining the party after meeting Nadda, Pawan Singh responded diplomatically: “When did we separate? We are together.” This statement suggests that both sides are eager to move past previous controversies.
Ranu Singh, Pawan Singh’s brother, confirmed the singer’s political ambitions directly: “Upfront the singer wants to be the NDA candidate from Bhojpur region. Let us see what the party [BJP] decides.”
He further emphasized the potential electoral impact, noting that if Pawan Singh receives a ticket, “it will have an impact on all seats of the Sahabad region (Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, and Shahabad districts).”
The Critical Rajput Factor in Bihar Politics
The Pawan Singh BJP reunion carries enormous significance due to the Rajput vote consolidation imperative. The Sahabad region represents a key battleground for the ruling JDU-BJP or NDA alliance, where the coalition has historically struggled.
In the 2020 assembly contest, the NDA managed to win only two of 22 seats in the region, highlighting the electoral challenges they face. The situation worsened in 2024 when Pawan Singh’s independent candidature divided Rajput votes, contributing not only to Kushwaha’s loss but to NDA defeats across all four Lok Sabha seats in the wider Sahabad region.
Rajputs have historically been core BJP supporters, making their consolidation crucial for electoral success. The Pawan Singh BJP reconciliation, coupled with the understanding reached with Kushwaha, is viewed as part of the NDA’s strategic efforts to consolidate both Rajput and Koeri votes ahead of the Bihar elections.
Geographic Distribution and Electoral Mathematics
Rajput communities are concentrated primarily in western and northern Bihar, with significant presence in Aurangabad, Buxar, Arrah, Vaishali, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, and Motihari (East Champaran). This geographic distribution makes the Pawan Singh BJP alliance particularly valuable for the NDA’s electoral prospects.
The reconciliation represents more than just one singer’s return to party politics—it symbolizes the NDA’s recognition that consolidating traditional support bases is essential for success in the upcoming assembly election. With the Pawan Singh BJP partnership apparently restored, the alliance hopes to prevent vote division and secure crucial victories in the Sahabad region.
