One day after publicly declaring his withdrawal from participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh convened with BJP National President JP Nadda in New Delhi, engaging in a conversation that spanned an hour.
Following the meeting, Singh conveyed his interaction with the BJP president to India Today, affirming his candid discussion of pertinent matters. Reflecting on potential future endeavors, the 38-year-old vocalist expressed a positive outlook, stating, "Whatever unfolds, it shall be for the best."
Addressing scrutiny surrounding his musical compositions, which have faced criticism from Trinamool Congress leaders for allegedly containing inappropriate references to Bengali women, Singh maintained a stance of patience, asserting, "Time will reveal all."
Initially designated as the BJP's candidate for the Asansol constituency in West Bengal, Singh unexpectedly announced his withdrawal from electoral contention via the X platform on Sunday, opting not to provide explicit reasons for his decision. Despite expressing gratitude to the party leadership for their confidence in him, he conveyed his inability to proceed with electoral participation.
Singh joins a cohort of BJP figures who have opted out of the impending Lok Sabha polls, including Hazaribagh MP Jayant Sinha and East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir, both of whom also petitioned JP Nadda for relief from their electoral responsibilities.
In response to Singh's decision, Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee lauded the resilience and vigor of the West Bengal populace, subtly referencing Singh's withdrawal in a tweet. This sentiment was echoed by Trinamool's recently elected Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose, who attributed Singh's retreat to his alleged propagation of "sexist misogynist videos."
Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien responded to his party colleague Abhishek Banerjee's commentary on Singh's withdrawal with a terse assertion, "khela hobe (game is on)."
While the BJP unveiled its initial roster of 195 candidates, featuring prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the absence of Singh from the lineup signals a notable departure from initial expectations.
