Actor Govinda joins Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Much on expected lines, actor-politician Govinda joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mumbai on Thursday, adding spice to the electoral battle in Maharashtra.
However, whether the 60-year-old veteran of 150-plus Hindi movies would contest from Mumbai, the entertainment capital of India, has been kept under wraps.
Both Govinda and Shinde evaded direct replies to a barrage of questions on whether the actor would contest the Lok Sabha polls.
Govinda, the Raja Babu of Bollywood, is a former Congress MP from Mumbai North, having won it in 2004 defeating BJP’s stalwart Ram Naik, who was a minister the the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government and later appointed the Governor in Uttar Pradesh.
After his tenure, Govinda, the Coolie No. 1 star, resigned from the grand old party and took a break from politics altogether.
Over the past fortnight, Govinda held back-to-back meetings with Shinde in Varsha, the Chief Minister’s residence in Malabar Hill -- leading to speculations that he may be fielded from Mumbai North-West.
On Thursday, he joined the party coinciding with the birth anniversary celebrations of legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
"I was part of the 14th Lok Sabha...after 14 years, I have come back again to politics…its like coming back after 14-year-long 'vanvas',” the actor said.
“After my stint from 2004 to 2009, I never thought that I would return (to politics) again…I am joining politics again with the blessings of God,” he said.
To a question, whether he would be contesting elections, Govinda said: “Whatever work is assigned to me, I will do to the best of my ability.” He went on to add that he had joined the Shiv Sena inspired by the leadership and development politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and growing importance of India and its success story.
On his part, Shinde said: “Govinda ji has come to Shiv Sena without any condition…he would (surely be) our star campaigner.”
Govinda’s name is being doing rounds for the Mumbai North-West seat, where the Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) has nominated Amol Kritikar, the son of sitting MP Gajanan Kirtikar, who had shifted loyalties to Shinde. However, with Thackeray declaring candidature has upset Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, who was an aspirant, and has declared that options are open.
Having spent a large part of his childhood in Virar in Palghar district, Govinda is often known as 'Virar ka Chokra'.
Govinda had lead roles in several commercially successful comedy films like Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Dulhe Raja (1998), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Anari No.1(1999), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2001).