It is easier setting fame in the region you belong, but the cup spills upside down here. In the season of elections, new names from Bhojpuri film industry to contest elections. While some are strong candidates likely to receive tickets for the upcoming elections, due to some of the unknown reasons they are unable to secure tickets from their home state.
For instance, the famous actor and singer- Manoj Tiwari, originating from Atarwalia village in Kaimur district, Bihar, has established Delhi as his political base, whereas in Uttar Pradesh, Ravi Kishan and Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ are pursuing re-election from constituencies near their hometowns.
Adding further, in the run race, Pawan Singh, a native of Arrah joined but surprisingly received a ticket from West Bengal and withdrew from the competition amid controversy. Speculation arose regarding internet sensation Neha Singh Rathore’s potential candidacy for the Congress after her participation in several party events, including Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’.
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Gunjan Kumar, the sole prominent Bhojpuri/Magahi singer vying for candidacy from Bihar, expressed disappointment that despite being the epicenter of the regional film industry, no Bhojpuri superstars were nominated from Bihar or neighboring Jharkhand for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Contesting as an Independent candidate from Nawada Lok Sabha constituency, Kumar revealed that despite approaching major political parties, none agreed to nominate him, leading to his decision to run independently.
He lamented the apparent lack of interest from political parties in fielding Bhojpuri singers/actors from Bihar in the Lok Sabha polls. However, Bhojpuri singer Vinay Bihari currently serves as a BJP MLA from the Lauriya assembly seat in West Champaran.
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Reflecting on past instances, Kumar noted that Shatrughan Sinha, known as Bihari Babu, was the last actor to contest and win Lok Sabha elections from the Patna Sahib constituency. However, he was denied a ticket in 2019 and is now seeking re-election from the Asansol Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal.
What was Ravi Kishan’s Take on This?
Ravi Kishan, told PTI, “It’s not like that at least in the case of our party (BJP). Our top leadership analyses every aspect, including different social equations, before giving tickets to any person that includes Bhojpuri actors and singers. Party tickets are always given to the most deserving candidate. Same is the case in Bihar also.”
Ravi Kishan expressed confidence that in the forthcoming years, his party would nominate Bhojpuri actors and singers directly from Bihar itself. He emphasized that the entire Bhojpuri film industry and the electorate that speaks Bhojpuri are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and the BJP.
