Fourteen years ago, Bollywood actor Govinda had claimed that politics was never his cup of tea and that joining politics was a “big mistake.
Bollywood actor and former MP Govinda joined Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Thursday.
There are speculations that he may be fielded against Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s candidate Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North West.
Govinda met Shiv Sena functionary and former MLA Krishna Hegde on Wednesday night. Hegde had said that Govinda had expressed his desire to work at the national level.
Govinda Joins SS faction of Shinde
Govind said that I have not come with the hope of getting a ticket, rather whatever responsibility is given to me, I will fulfill it honestly.
“If I get a chance, I will be ready to fight, but I have not joined Shiv Sena with the hope of getting a ticket.”
After formally joining Shiv Sena, Govinda thanked the Chief Minister and said that he is entering active politics after 14 years of ‘wilderness’.
He said that I have come into politics after 14 years of exile because the work done in the last 10 years, the aura has impressed me a lot.
“I have joined Shiv Sena because of the Ram Rajya that Modi ji has brought and the aura of Eknath Shinde ji that has been seen in Mumbai in the last two years.”
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Govind said that whatever cooperation I can give to the party, I will do it honestly.
“Many people are angry with my coming here. Their slips have also been torn.”
In the 2004 general elections, Govinda contested from the North Mumbai seat on a Congress ticket and defeated BJP veteran Ram Naik. However, after his tenure ended, Govinda started acting again and never came into politics after that.
It was in 2012, five years after quitting the Congress party, that Govinda made news with that sensational claim – “It was a big mistake to join politics…”
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Known for his electoral victory over BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in 2004, the actor was welcomed in the party by Mr. Shinde.
Reflecting on his return to the political arena after a hiatus of 14 years, the 60-year-old, whose acting career spans back to the 1980s, he expressed surprise at finding himself back in the realm of politics. “
I’m back after a 14-year-old Vanvas,” he said. The Shinde Sena is likely to field the actor from Mumbai North-West.
“Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Mr. Shinde has become Chief Minister, the actor said.
Impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development policies, Govinda, once a Congress MP said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance.
Govinda said that he is to focus on the beautification of the state and the growth of art and culture
Creating a parallel of his return to politics with Ramayana’s ‘vanvaas’, the veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said, “I was in politics from 2004 to 2009. It is a coincidence that I am returning to politics after 14 years.”
Praising CM Shinde for development work in Maharashtra, Govinda said, “Eknath Shinde has done the amount of work that previously took 29-30 years to complete. I believe the progress that the nation has seen over the last 9-10 years will now be seen in the state.”
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