Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala on Friday joined the Congress ahead of the legislative assembly elections. A widely popular face of Punjab who has been vocal about his support to the farmers’ agitation, Mossewala was inducted into the party by Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the party’s state chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Upon his joining, the chief minister said Moose Wala is an “international icon”. “I am sure he will make the Congress party proud, I welcome him on behalf of Congress,” Channi said, according to news agency.
“Moose Wala has won the hearts of everyone. He is a son of a farmer and his father is an ex-army officer,” Channi said. “I am sure he is going to be a youth icon,” he added.
It is not clear whether Moose Wala, whose real name is Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, will contest in the upcoming assembly elections, slated to be held next year. Speaking on the same, Channi said, it is yet to be decided.
For now, he will meet the high command of the party, Channi said.
After joining the Congress, Moose Wala said that one of the reasons to join the Congress is to raise the voice of Punjabis. “It’s my first press conference. Just three years ago, I started singing. Now after four years, I am taking a new step. Mansa is not that much developed, a part of this area raised me, I will raise my voice from here,” he said.
The singer hails from a small village of Punjab named Moosa in the Mansa district of Punjab. His mother is a village head. He has been subject to criticism by some for promoting violence and gun culture in his songs.