Bihar YouTuber Manish Kashyap, Who Is Out On Bail, Joins BJP

Mr. Kashyap was in the eye of the storm last year after his YouTube videos allegedly claimed that migrants were being targeted in Tamil Nadu and created panic among the migrant community in the State. He was arrested in Bihar and sent to Tamil Nadu to face charges filed the local police. Many labourers had started returning to Bihar leaving their work in the southern State. The YouTuber had to spend nearly nine months in jail.

Mr. Kashyap had earlier announced to contest the Lok Sabha election from West Champaran seat as an Independent candidate, pitting him against sitting BJP MP and candidate from the seat, Sanjay Jaiswal. His induction in the party ensures he is out of fray from the seat.

Mr. Tiwari played a pivotal role in convincing Mr. Kashyap to join the party. Mr. Tiwari, a popular Bhojpuri singer and actor, visited Mr. Kashyap’s village Dumri Mahanwa in West Champaran in January to meet him after he was granted conditional bail in December 2023.