Assam singer Simanta Shekhar quits BJP, film finance body
Assam singer Simanta Shekhar has resigned from the BJP and his position at the Assam Film Finance Corporation, citing personal reasons. His departure follows a public disagreement with a local MLA regarding the legacy of cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
Why it matters
The resignation of a prominent cultural figure from a political party can influence local public perception and political discourse in the region.
Simanta Shekhar, the popular singer who sang the ‘ Akou abaar Modi sarkar’ (Modi government once again) campaign song, resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (September 22, 2026).
He also quit as the chairperson of the Assam Film Finance Corporation, citing personal reasons.
Mr. Shekhar had criticised Guwahati Central MLA Vijay Kumar Gupta for getting his facts on cultural icon the late Zubeen Garg wrong. At a tribute event on September 19, Mr. Gupta had said Garg had sung 3,000 songs (instead of 30,000) in 40 languages, and referred to his 2017 blockbuster film Mission China as China Mission .
The MLA later apologised for the “slip of the tongue”.
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