Bhojpuri cinema star and politician Pawan Singh announced on Saturday that he will not be a candidate in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls, despite recent meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha that had fueled ticket speculation.
In a post on X, Singh clarified his position, stating, “I, Pawan Singh, want to inform my Bhojpuri community that I did not join the party (BJP) to contest the Bihar assembly elections…nor do I want to contest the assembly elections. I am a true soldier of the party and will remain so.” He also shared a photograph of himself with Home Minister Amit Shah on the social media platform.
The announcement comes amid widespread rumors that the popular actor was poised to contest the polls on a BJP ticket, possibly from one of the Bhojpur district seats like Ara or Barhara. Singh had recently met with both Shah and RLM chief Kushwaha, the latter of whom he had contested against as an Independent in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Karakat seat. Singh’s independent run, in which he polled over 2.74 lakh votes, led to the defeat of Kushwaha and a victory for the CPI(ML) Liberation candidate, Raja Ram Kushwaha.
Wife Meets Prashant Kishor Amid Personal and Political Drama
Singh’s decision is juxtaposed with the political buzz surrounding his estranged wife, Jyoti Singh, who met with political strategist Prashant Kishor in Patna on Friday. The meeting had led to speculation that she might secure a ticket from Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party.
However, Kishor downplayed the political angle, telling reporters, “Jyoti ji came to meet us today…let me make it very clear that contesting elections or getting a party ticket is not her intention.” He added that she came to explain the “difficulties through which she is passing” and was focused on advocating for justice for women.
The couple’s marital discord has intensified recently, gaining public attention after Jyoti Singh visited Pawan Singh’s Lucknow flat. Following a meeting, the actor left the residence while his wife remained. Police were subsequently called, and Jyoti Singh posted a video online alleging harassment and threats of eviction.