New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders strongly criticised Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh shortly after he announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This decision follows the BJP's nomination of Singh for the Asansol constituency in West Bengal, announced on Sunday.
Although Singh did not cite the exact reasons for his withdrawal, the TMC, holding power in West Bengal, had previously voiced concerns over his candidacy. The party alleged that several of Singh's songs were lewd and portrayed women, including those from West Bengal, in an offensive manner.
Taking to social media platform X, Singh expressed his gratitude towards the senior leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, acknowledging their trust in him by nominating him for the Asansol constituency. However, he noted that due to “unforeseen circumstances”, he would not be able to pursue his candidacy.
"I express my heartfelt gratitude to the top leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party. The party trusted me and declared me as the candidate from West Bengal's Asansol but due to some reason, I will not be able to contest the elections from Asansol.” Singh posted.
In response to Singh's decision, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee underlined the resilience and strength of the people of West Bengal.
“The indomitable spirit and power of the people of West Bengal,” Banerjee wrote on X.
Newly elected TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose attributed Singh's withdrawal to the backlash he faced over his “sexist and misogynistic” music videos.
"Breaking news. All India Trinamool Congress impact! BJP Asansol candidate withdraws after huge backlash on the candidate's sexist misogynist videos. The BJP's 'nari shakti' call in Bengal now lies in tatters, revealed for what it is--hollow and meaningless," she posted on X.
Echoing Abhishek Banerjee's sentiment, TMC MP Derek O'Brien shared his thoughts on X, suggesting that the political contest had commenced even before the formal commencement of the elections, invoking the popular TMC slogan, "Khela Hobe" (the game is on).
“This is Khela Hobe (game is on) even before the khela begins,” Derek O’Brien wrote.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress's Shatrughan Sinha, the incumbent MP from Asansol, stated that while he does not personally know Singh, he has heard of him as a renowned artist and singer. He said that Singh's decision is an internal matter of the BJP.
Taunting the saffron party, Rajya Sabha MP and TMC leader Saket Gokhale posted, "Of the 42 seats in West Bengal, BJP has already surrendered 1 seat even before elections are declared."