- Manoj Tiwari is a singer, actor, television presenter and music director from Bihar
- He has acted in the Bhojpuri genre of the Indian film industry and in 2005 was reported to be one of the two leading male stars of that genre
- Tiwari contested the 2009 national elections for the Samajwadi Party. He won the North East Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)in the 2014 Indian general elections from BJP
- In 2010, Tiwari was a contestant in the fourth season of reality television show Bigg Boss
- His house in Mumbaiwas allegedly attacked in November 2009 by a group of people over his ‘controversial’ remark on Shiv Sena
- Tiwari was among the first celebrities to make an appearance in support of Ramdev's hunger strike at the Ramlila Ground protests in June 2011, where he sang various patriotic songs in support
- In August 2011, Tiwari was involved in protests surrounding the arrest of Anna Hazare, after his anti-corruption movement
- Tiwari has an inclination towards cricket, and he played for Banaras Hindu University. He also tried to buy a franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team in order to promote the sport in Bihar
Tiwari vows to "expose" AAP & ensure BJP's victory in MCD
Newly appointed Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, a popular face among migrants from Bihar and UP, today vowed to "expose" AAP and ensure the party's victory in the MCD polls next year.
Tiwari's appointment is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to effect a turnaround in the city riding on the Purvanchali populace (comprising Bihar and UP migrants), who number around 40 lakh in the city.
However, the actor-turned-politician, who represents the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, tried to downplay his purvanchali roots, saying the organisation "should not be" categorised on regional lines.
"The appointment should not be categorised on regional line as I have earned the love of all and will work honouring all. I will seek help of the seniors in the party and work with the motto Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Dilli Ka Ullas," Tiwari told reporters at the Delhi BJP office here.
Tiwari (43) said that his appointment to the top post came as a surprise to him when he came to know about it around 9 AM today. He expressed his gratitude to party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him a "big" responsibility.
He also emphasised on unity in the party saying the party does not believe in internal conflicts and divisions.
"It's Arvind Kejriwal's policy to divide and rule. Delhi is mini India and I will work to ensure that it is developed in a form as dreamt by Prime Minister Modi," he said.
Tiwari also attacked AAP without naming it, saying Delhi has turned into a "war zone" under its rule.
"What we need is a work plan and not a war plan. See, how some people have changed Delhi into a war zone. Delhi needs a work plan and not the false promises and backtracking on those promises as they have done.
"Those who cheated Delhi and have run away will be defeated and exposed by us. The same people who once claimed to fight corruption are now siding with corrupt and protesting against demonetisation on the streets," he said.
Outgoing BJP Delhi President Satish Upadhyay's two-and-a-half-year long tenure has been marked by successive debacles and the meteoric rise of Aam Aadmi Party which has decimated BJP in the national capital.
Tiwari, who was born in Atarwalia in Bihar is a graduate of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Later, he emerged as a leading singer and actor of Bhojpuri film industry.
Senior party leaders including Harsh Vardhan, Vijay Goel, Upadhyay and party MPs assembled in the party office to congratulate Tiwari and assured their help and cooperation to him in discharging his role.
He had joined the saffron party just before 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
(With additional information from PTI)