Patna: The Karakat assembly constituency in Rohtas has emerged as a significant focal point in the Bihar assembly election, largely due to the surprising candidacy of Jyoti Singh, the spouse of Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh. Her decision to run as an independent candidate shifted the expected straightforward contest between Janata Dal (United) candidate Mahabali Singh and sitting CPIML MLA Arun Singh into a dynamic three-way race, with early counting indicating that Jyoti Singh has garnered sufficient support to impact the competition between the frontrunners. This constituency became contentious well before the election day. Speculation surrounding Pawan Singh’s potential candidacy fueled debate months in advance, with his political ambitions making headlines from Lucknow to Patna.
A public disagreement with Jyoti Singh, including an incident at his residence in Lucknow, further heightened interest. Even though Pawan Singh ultimately opted out of the race while endorsing the BJP, Jyoti Singh declared her intention to participate, seeking a place within opposition groups. After failing to secure a party ticket, she decided to contest independently, significantly altering the political dynamics. As the counting progresses, the NDA appears to be leading statewide, including in Karakat, where Mahabali Singh has received 71,089 votes, maintaining a slim lead over Arun Singh of the CPIML, who has garnered 73,793 votes—a difference of merely 1,233 votes.
Jyoti Singh follows with 23,398 votes, but her candidacy has noticeably narrowed the gap between the two leading candidates. Born in a humble household in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, Jyoti Singh’s rise to prominence has been linked to her strong social media presence and her marriage to Pawan Singh, known for the hit song Lollipop Lagelu. Initially perceived as a stabilizing factor in Pawan’s life after the passing of his first wife in 2015, their relationship soon faced challenges, with Jyoti accusing him of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Their public disputes, legal conflicts, and reconciliation efforts have kept them in the public eye.
As the 2025 polls approach, the real question was whether Jyoti would secure a ticket from a significant party. Instead, she boldly chose to enter the fray independently, an ambitious decision considering the constituency’s entrenched political traditions. Her campaign focuses on dignity, women’s safety, local identity, and development, resonating with younger voters and women, bolstered by her digital engagement and her identity as ‘Karakat’s daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law.’