In a surprise for voters ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the list of candidates features the name of late Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput’s cousin sister Divya Gautam. Divya, who is a theatre artist will be contesting the Bihar elections from Patna Digha assembly constituency as a Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML) candidate representing the INDIA bloc. She will face the incumbent BJP MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia.

The mysterious death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput in Mumbai on June 14, 2020 shook the entire country. The death of the son of the land also had a big impact on Bihar politics. After Sushant’s death, his cousin Divya has been fielded by the Left Party in the 2025 assembly elections.

Divya Gautam’s name was officially announced by the party on Monday. Divya has always been associated with social service work along with her studies. Even after the death of her cousin brother Sushant, she was vocal demanding justice. She is a quite a well-known face in student politics as an All India Students’ Association (AISA) leader, which is the student wing of CPI-ML. The former AISA leader has been nominated by Bihar’s CPI(M) Liberation (CPI-ML) from Patna’s Digha assembly constituency. According to reports, she will file her nomination on Wednesday.

Don’t want to use Sushant’s name in politics: Divya Gautam

Speaking to the media a day after her name was announced, Divya, said she is “grateful” that people recognise her with Sushant Singh Rajput’s name. “I cannot say that I am not the cousin of Sushant Singh Rajput. People recognise me with his name. I am grateful for that but I don’t want to use his name in my politics. I don’t want to colour his name the way other political parties want to do,” the candidate said in tears remembering her deceased brother, who was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in Mumbai in June 2020.

I want to work for the people of Bihar: Divya Gautam

Divya Gautam studied journalism at Patna College. She has a post-graduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and is currently pursuing a PhD. She was also employed as an assistant professor at Patna Women’s College.

She previously contested the Patna University Students’ Union presidential elections in 2012. This time, Sushant’s cousin has directly entered the political arena. And while announcing her candidacy, Divya stated, “Today’s politics has become a puppet in the hands of the rich in the country, no one listens to the common man anymore.”

She also called for social change. She said, “There is anger among the public. They want a change, and I am here for the change.”

Divya Gautam said that she wants to stand by the people of Bihar. She wants to ensure employment for the youth, education and women’s safety in the state. Divya is clear, “I have not come to do politics for any party, I want to work for the people.” Meanwhile, the CPI-ML has stated that they want to give a new message to the society by putting forward a brave and educated young face like Divya Gautam.

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