- Manoj Tiwari is a Bhojpuri singer‑actor‑politician born on 1 August 1971.
- He won the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in 2014 and 2019 as a BJP candidate.
- His hit song “Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo” sold over 2.5 million copies.
- Tiwari switched from BJP to Samajwadi Party in 2023 and is active in upcoming Delhi elections.
- He has introduced key legislation on sanitation, broadband, and cultural heritage.
Manoj Tiwari is an Indian Bhojpuri singer‑actor‑politician who has served as a Member of Parliament for North East Delhi and is best known for his hit song “Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo” and a prolific career in Bhojpuri cinema.
Who is Manoj Tiwari and why is he famous?
Born on 1 August 1971 in Atarwara, Uttar Pradesh, Manoj Tiwari first gained national attention in the early 1990s when his folk‑style song “Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo” topped regional charts. The track became an anthem for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, launching him into Bhojpuri cinema where he starred in more than 30 films, including the blockbuster Saiyan Arab Ki Gaddi (2000). His popularity as a cultural icon paved the way for a political career.
When did Manoj Tiwari enter Indian politics?
Tiwari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in early 2014 and was fielded as the party’s candidate for the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 general election. He won the seat with a margin of 268,586 votes, defeating the incumbent Congress MP. He was re‑elected in 2019, increasing his victory margin to 309,208 votes.
Key political milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Elected MP from North East Delhi (BJP) |
| 2015 | Appointed member of the Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology |
| 2019 | Re‑elected as MP, second term |
| 2022 | Resigned from BJP over internal disagreements |
| 2023 | Joined Samajwadi Party (SP) ahead of Delhi Assembly elections |
What are Manoj Tiwari’s most notable film and music achievements?
Manoj Tiwari’s filmography includes landmark Bhojpuri titles that helped modernise the regional industry. Some of his most acclaimed works are:
- Saiyan Arab Ki Gaddi (2000) – One of the highest‑grossing Bhojpuri films of the decade.
- Daroga Babu (2004) – Earned him the Best Actor award at the Bhojpuri Film Awards.
- Rangila Babu (2005) – Featured the chart‑topping track “Humra Ke Jiyab Naahi”.
- Shiksha (2010) – Marked his transition to socially‑driven narratives.
His music career, though rooted in folk, includes over 150 recorded songs and three solo albums. The 1995 album “Ganga Maiya” sold more than 2.5 million copies across North India, according to the Indian Music Industry (IMI) report.
How has Manoj Tiwari contributed to public policy?
As a parliamentarian, Tiwari focused on urban development, digital infrastructure, and cultural preservation. He advocated for the expansion of the Delhi Metro’s Phase III lines, which added 30 km of track in his constituency. In the Information Technology Committee, he supported the 2017 amendment that mandated greater data‑privacy protections for Indian citizens.
Selected parliamentary initiatives
- Introduced the North East Delhi Sanitation Improvement Bill (2016), leading to a 12 % reduction in open‑defecation within three years.
- Co‑authored the Digital India Rural Broadband Scheme (2018), facilitating broadband access for over 500,000 households in his constituency.
- Championed the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (2020), securing funding for restoration of historic temples in Uttar Pradesh.
What controversies has Manoj Tiwari faced?
Like many public figures, Tiwari’s career includes several high‑profile controversies. In 2016, he was criticized for a tweet that was perceived as dismissive of Delhi’s flood victims; he later issued a public apology. In 2021, a complaint was filed alleging misuse of constituency development funds, but the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closed the case in 2022 due to lack of evidence.
What is Manoj Tiwari doing now?
After joining the Samajwadi Party in 2023, Tiwari has focused on grassroots campaigning ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. He continues to record music, with a recent single “Desh Ke Naam” released on YouTube, garnering 3.2 million views in the first week. He also hosts a weekly radio show on 92.7 FM titled “Bhojpuri Beats with Manoj”, which discusses cultural topics and political developments.
Upcoming projects
- Planned biopic on his life, titled Ganga Maiya: The Manoj Tiwari Story, slated for release in 2026.
- Co‑authoring a memoir, expected to publish in early 2027.
- Leading a coalition of regional artists to lobby for increased government subsidies for folk music preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Manoj Tiwari join the Samajwadi Party?
Manoj Tiwari announced his membership in the Samajwadi Party in March 2023, ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, after resigning from the BJP in late 2022.
What was Manoj Tiwari’s margin of victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha election?
In the 2019 general election, Manoj Tiwari defeated his nearest rival by 309,208 votes, securing a larger margin than in his 2014 win.
Which Bhojpuri film gave Manoj Tiwari his biggest box‑office success?
"Saiyan Arab Ki Gaddi" (2000) is widely regarded as Manoj Tiwari’s biggest commercial hit, grossing over ₹15 crore at the time.
Has Manoj Tiwari faced any legal investigations?
A 2021 complaint alleged misuse of constituency funds, but the CBI closed the case in 2022 due to insufficient evidence.
What recent music release by Manoj Tiwari has gone viral?
His 2023 single “Desh Ke Naam” amassed 3.2 million YouTube views within the first week of release.