Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh's return to the BJP just ahead of the state elections is expected to strengthen the NDA in Bihar's Magadh and Shahabad regions, where Rajput votes had drifted away from the alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, resulting in significant setbacks.
In the parliamentary elections 2024, the BJP had fielded Pawan Singh from Asansol (West Bengal), but he rebelled and chose to contest as an independent candidate from Karakat in Bihar, directly against NDA's official nominee Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
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His candidacy split the NDA vote, leading to Kushwaha's heavy defeat, and also impacted the alliance's performance in other constituencies across Magadh and Shahabad, traditionally strongholds with sizeable Rajput electorates. With Singh now back in the BJP fold, the NDA is hoping to consolidate its support base among Rajput voters in the upcoming 2025 Assembly elections.
It is believed that BJP state in-charge Vinod Tawde played a key role in brokering peace between Singh and Kushwaha. The two leaders met on Tuesday in New Delhi, in Tawde's presence. Later, Pawan Singh also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda.
The reconciliation has sparked fresh political momentum in Bihar, with speculation that the upcoming election could see a consolidation of Kushwaha and Rajput voters, potentially giving the NDA a decisive edge.
Speaking to the media in Sasaram on Wednesday, Kushwaha welcomed Singh's return, calling it a strategic boost for the NDA. He stated that the vote split in the Lok Sabha elections had harmed the alliance, but that would not be repeated in the Assembly polls.
"The NDA is working on a strong strategy, and we are all moving forward together. This time, no one can stop the NDA," said Kushwaha.