New Delhi: Renowned singer Anuradha Paudwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday.
After joining the BJP Paudwal said, “Jai Shri Ram. I am very happy to join a party and a government that has such a deep connection with sanatan. After singing in the film industry for 35 years, I have only sung devotional songs. I always used to wonder whether I did the right thing or not, but today I feel it was the right decision. I got an opportunity to sing at the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir for five minutes which was my lifelong dream.”
“It is my good fortune to be associated with this party. Narendra Bhai (PM Narendra Modi) ko mera pranaam, who ensured we move in the right direction,” she added.
Welcoming her to the party, senior BJP leader and media in-charge Anil Baluni said, “You are known for your singing and you have made a special place in the hearts of the people with your devotional songs. We welcome you to the BJP.”
Paudwal’s induction comes at a time when the Election Commission is all set to announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections.
According to BJP sources, she is likely to be given some responsibility for the elections and is likely to be a star campaigner of the party.
Arun Singh, BJP’s national general secretary, while welcoming Paudwal into the party fold said, PM Modi’s family has become bigger.
“If we talk about devotional songs, then there is no bigger name than that of Paudwal. You have sung devotional songs for the past 35 years,” he added.
In 2019, Paudwal was among 900 artists, including Pandit Jasraj, Rita Ganguli and actor Vivek Oberoi, who had issued a statement asking people to vote for the BJP and said the country needs a “majboot sarkar (strong government)” not a “majboor sarkar (helpless government)”.
In 2021, Paudwal, who was not associated with the BJP, visited the party headquarters and expressed her desire to carry out social work in Kedarnath and the surroundings of the temple.
She is a famous singer in the Hindi film industry and is now renowned for her ‘bhajans’ (devotional songs).
Born on 27 October 1954, in Mumbai, Paudwal started her singing career with the 1973 film ‘Abhimaan’ starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. She was also awarded the Filmfare Award for the films like ‘Aashiqui‘, ‘Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi‘ and ‘Beta‘.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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