Assam singer Simanta Shekhar quits BJP, film finance body

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Simanta Shekhar. File photo: X/@shekhar_simanta

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”.

Citing personal reasons for resigning, Mr. Shekhar insisted it had nothing to do with the party’s political ideology, policies, or any individual. He had submitted his resignation letters to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and State BJP president Dilip Saikia, Mr. Shekhar said in a statement. He would not be associated with any political party in the future, he also said.

“He messaged me after submitting the resignation letter. He said his reason was very personal. So, there is no justification in giving a political reply,” Mr. Saikia said.

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