Patna: Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh on Saturday clarified that he has not joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

In a post on X, Singh addressed speculation about his candidacy, stating, "I want to inform my Bhojpuri community that I didn't join the party to contest the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, nor do I intend to contest the assembly elections. I am a true soldier of the party and will remain one".

The announcement comes amid rumours that Singh might contest the Ara assembly seat, which he has firmly denied. Singh also mentioned that his involvement in the Bihar elections follows a request from the NDA’s top leadership to join the party with full force, adding that no decision has yet been made regarding seat allocation and that he expects an announcement soon.

Controversies involving his wife

The clarification appears linked to recent controversies involving his wife, Jyoti Singh, who met Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor. She stated, "I did not come here to contest the election or seek a ticket, I came here to ensure that no other woman has to face the injustice I faced... I want to be the voice of all such women. So I met Prashant bhaiya. There was no discussion on elections or tickets. I have come here just for all those women".

Following the meeting, Prashant Kishor told reporters, "Jyoti ji came here as a Bihari, as a woman...We listened to her. First, she did not mention contesting the election. I felt that contesting the election or getting a ticket was not her motive." He also emphasised that while he cannot intervene in family matters, he supports Jyoti’s safety and democratic rights and urged her to pursue her case legally.

What is Pawan Singh’s political background?

Pawan Singh was previously a member of the BJP but was expelled in 2024 due to anti-party activities after he contested as an independent candidate in the Karakat Lok Sabha constituency, defying the NDA’s official nominee.

The primary contest in Bihar remains between the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD.

In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the NDA comprises 131 members, with the BJP holding 80 MLAs, JD(U) 45, HAM(S) 4, and 2 Independent Candidates supporting the alliance.

The couple’s divorce case has been ongoing for the past three to four years. Pawan Singh has asserted that Jyoti Singh’s recent public display of affection is a tactic to gain attention.

The controversy began when Jyoti visited Singh’s residence, broke down, and made serious allegations against him. Pawan Singh has since responded on social media, defending himself and questioning her motives.

ANI inputs