Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh has refused to contest the 2025 Bihar assembly elections. He has retreated due to family dispute and BJP’s strategy. The party is seeing him as a star campaigner now and a future Lok Sabha candidate.
Pawan Singh, one of the most popular and controversial faces of Bhojpuri cinema, is once again in the center of discussion. Pawan, who once won crores of hearts with his songs, is now writing an equally interesting story on the political stage. But this time, there is a twist in the story, he has made it clear that he will not contest Bihar Assembly elections 2025. Yes, the same Pawan Singh about whom there was talk in the corridors of BJP that he could be the ‘star candidate’ of the party. But Pawan surprised everyone by posting it on his social media.
He wrote, “I, Pawan Singh, want to tell my Bhojpuri community that I did not join the party to contest the assembly elections, nor do I want to contest the elections. I am a true soldier of the party and will always be so.” That is, it is clear that he is now out of this election battle, but the story does not end here.
Why did Pawan Singh step back?
No decision is taken casually in politics, especially when the face is a popular star like Pawan Singh. There are many layers behind his sudden U-turn. From family disputes to party strategy. Pawan Singh’s wife Jyoti Singh has been in the headlines in recent months. Her meeting with Prashant Kishor at Sheikhpura House and her statement in the media that “I have not come to take ticket for any election, I am just talking about justice for women,” shocked everyone. But political circles understand that this was not just a statement, but a conflict of family and public image.
The BJP, which is currently in image cleaning and damage control mode, is alert about any controversial narrative. If sources are to be believed, the party has strategically kept Pawan Singh in ‘wait and watch’ mode. That means, not now, but a bigger role is possible in the future.
Political impact of wife dispute
Jyoti Singh had said in recent interviews that she had to face domestic violence and injustice. This matter became famous everywhere and some women’s organizations also raised their views. Now even if the matter is personal, in politics the politics of image is the biggest. There is a discussion within BJP that due to this controversy, the party wanted to avoid giving ticket to Pawan for the time being, so that no negative narrative is created before the elections. However, Pawan Singh had maintained silence on the controversy and avoided any counterattack, also an indication that he wanted to stay under the radar.
BJP’s ‘long game’
Pawan Singh is not just a candidate but a brand value for BJP. His support base is huge in Bhojpuri belt i.e. Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Thousands and lakhs of people gather in his every show, and on hearing his name, the enthusiasm of the crowd is more than that of election public meetings. BJP understands that this face is bigger than the scope of the assembly. This is the reason that according to party sources, he can be kept in the role of star campaigner for the time being. The strategy of fielding Pawan Singh as a trump card in any by-election in Lok Sabha elections 2029 or before is also being discussed. There is also talk inside that Pawan Singh’s popularity can be used for electoral polarization, especially in areas where youth and Bhojpuri votes play a decisive role.
Superstar power in Bhojpuri belt
The electoral impact of Bhojpuri stars is nothing new. Artists like Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari, Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua have already become the ‘Bhojpuri face’ of BJP. Now adding Pawan Singh to this Bhojpuri chart was a natural expansion for the party. However, Pawan’s image has been different from other stars, he is counted among the more aggressive, down to earth and desi connected faces. The impact of his songs extends from villages to streets. Therefore, the party wants him to be not just a candidate but a mood maker who can create an atmosphere in the campaign.
Timing is everything in politics
It is said in politics that sometimes withdrawing from the field is preparation for the next game. Pawan Singh’s decision is also similar. He has left the opportunity of assembly, but his eyes are clearly towards Lok Sabha. BJP is also seeing him as a long term investment.
What for now?
At present, Pawan Singh’s role is clear that he will not be on the field but on the stage. That is, the star campaigner, the campaign face, and the face of the party’s ‘young image’. His social media posts, crowd drawing power and grassroots fan base, all together make him a ‘blue-chip asset’ for the BJP.