New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded former Union Minister S.S. Ahluwalia from West Bengal's Asansol for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Ahluwalia will take on actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who has been fielded by the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Sinha had won from Asansol in a byelection by a record margin in 2022.

In 2019, Ahluwalia had defeated Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s Mamtaz Sanghamitra in the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency where he was fielded at the last moment.

The BJP had earlier announced Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh from Asansol, a belt dominated by Hindi-speaking people.

Photo Courtesy: Pawan Singh X page

But in an embarrassment for the BJP, Singh withdrew his nomination from the seat citing personal reasons.

However, the TMC claims Singh had no other option but to opt out as several of his "sexist videos" went viral on social media.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases in West Bengal from April 19 to June 1. The results will be declared on June 4.