In an apparent setback to the BJP in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls, Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh on Saturday said he would not contest the elections, even though he reaffirmed his support to the party.

“I, Pawan Singh, want to inform my Bhojpuri community that I didn’t join the party ( BJP ) to contest the elections, nor do I intend to. I am a true soldier of the party and will remain so,” he said in an X post in Hindi, putting to rest speculation that the BJP was going to field him from Ara or Barhara (his home turf).

Terming Singh’s decision not to contest as his “individual call”, BJP sources said he was “very much” in contention for a ticket from Ara or Barhara. “The Ara seat may now go to MLA Amrendra Pratap Singh or senior leader Sanjay Tiger or Vishal Singh (son of form

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