BJP Expels Actor-Politician Pawan Singh For ‘Anti-Party’ Act

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday expelled Bhojpuri actor and singer-turned-politician Pawan Singh for his ‘anti-party’ act.

The 38-year-old Pawan, who joined the saffron party in 2014, was pulled up as he decided to contest as an Independent candidate from south Bihar’s Karakat Lok Sabha constituency against National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Upendra Kushwaha.

Pawan Singh filed his nomination on May 9, ending weeks of speculation over his candidature from Karakat.

In a letter to Pawan, the BJP said his decision was “anti-party” and tarnished the image of the party while being against its principles.

Among BJP leaders who criticised Pawan’s decision to contest against Kushwaha was Union Minister RK Singh, who is seeking re-election from the neighbouring Arrah seat.

Besides Kushwaha, a former Union Minister and chief of Rashtriya Lok Morcha, others in the fray from Karakat are Mahagathbandhan’s Rajaram Singh and AIMIM’s Priyanka Chaudhary.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said BJP’s decision to expel the actor-politician was a “conspiracy” to defeat Upendra Kushwaha as the saffron party is internally “helping Pawan Singh.”

Polling in Karakat will take place on June 1, the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections.