In a sudden move that has surprised many of his fans, Indian cricketer Rinku Singh has been dropped from the Election Commission’s voter awareness campaign in Uttar Pradesh following his engagement to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj.
The decision, taken by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), comes amid concerns over potential political affiliations. All campaign materials featuring Rinku Singh’s image are now being withdrawn on the directive of the Commission.
“Rinku Singh was appointed as a state icon because of his popularity and influence among youth. But once there is any indication that a person is associated with a political party or is perceived to be politically inclined, their continued involvement in official awareness campaigns becomes inappropriate,” an official from the CEO office said.
The Commission emphasized that the voter awareness campaign must remain apolitical and neutral in both spirit and practice. “Even if there's no active campaigning, the appearance of political alignment creates a conflict of interest,” the official added.
Rinku Singh, known for his powerful performances on the cricket field, had been a popular face in the Commission’s campaigns, aimed particularly at motivating first-time and young voters to participate in the democratic process. His removal has disappointed many fans who admired his non-political public image.
Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj Joins Women In Paddy Plantation In Varanasi (VIDEO)The equation changed after Rinku's recent engagement to Priya Saroj, the newly elected Member of Parliament from Machhlishahr in Jaunpur district. The symbolic alliance with a serving politician from a prominent opposition party raised questions about the cricketer’s political neutrality—something the Commission cannot overlook while maintaining the integrity of its public campaigns.
While Rinku Singh has not made any political statement or expressed intent to join politics, the Election Commission’s rules are clear: any perceived political connection is sufficient grounds for removal from an official public outreach initiative.
The development has sparked mixed reactions , with some criticizing the move as unnecessary, while others defended the Election Commission’s decision to uphold the apolitical nature of its voter awareness drive.
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