In a move that ignited strong reactions and outrage, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced the nomination of Bhojpuri actor and singer Pawan Singh as a candidate for the Asansol Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal. The decision prompted concerns and criticism from various political circles, with opposition leaders questioning the content created by Singh, specifically songs that allegedly denigrate Bengali women.
The nomination triggered a strong response from leaders across party lines, expressing dismay over the choice of Pawan Singh. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi posted on social media, “My head bends in shame after looking at the content created and propagated by BJP’s Asansol Lok Sabha candidate. The doom’s day of democracy is quite near!” Trinamool Congress Minister and former Asansol MP Babul Supriyo also criticized the move, highlighting Singh’s alleged disrespect towards Bengali women in his songs.
Political observers pointed out that Pawan Singh’s nomination might backfire for the BJP, particularly in the context of ongoing controversies in Sandeshkhali, where allegations of sexual assault involving local Trinamool Congress leaders have surfaced. The move comes as the BJP fields candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, with Pawan Singh’s nomination standing out amid the controversy.
The list of 20 candidates announced by the BJP includes nine sitting MPs and three MLAs, featuring prominent names like State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, Union Ministers Nisith Pramanik, Subhas Sarkar, and Shantanu Thakur. The controversy surrounding Pawan Singh’s nomination adds a contentious layer to the political dynamics in the state.
