After he returned to active politics after a gap of one and a half decades and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, yesteryear actor-turned-politician Govinda on Thursday appeared poised to be put up as a Shinde Sena candidate from Mumbai north-west Lok Sabha constituency.
On a day when 60-year-old Govind Arun Ahuja – better known as Govinda – formally joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of chief minister Eknath Shinde, available indications within the Shinde-led ruling party suggested that he might be put up a candidate from Mumbai north-west Constituency where the Shiv Sena (UBT) named Amol Kirtikar as its candidate for the Lok Sabha polls.
An actor who has featured in more than 150 Hindi films, Govinda was a Congress MP from Mumbai north constituency from 2004 and 2009.
With film “Hero No 1” having emerged as a big success at the box success, Govinda had come to be dubbed as “gaint killer” after he defeated veteran BJP leader Ram Naik in the 2004 LS polls from Mumbai north constituency. He however refused to re-contest the LS polls in 2009 polls and exited from active politics.
Expressing his happiness over his decision to join the Shinde Sena, Govinda said : “am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)”.
Welcoming the actor to his party fold, Shinde said: “Govinda is a popular figure in all sections of the society”. "Govinda stands for progress. He is impressed with Modiji's development policies. He wants to do something for the welfare and progress of the film industry. I am sure he will be the link between the government and the film industry.
He has joined our party without any pre-conditions,” the chief minister said.
Heaping praise on Shinde, Govinda said: “Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Shinde has become the chief minister”.
Govinda said that the country had seen unbelievable development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The actor said that if given an opportunity, he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance.
