Sunday, April 28

Bollywood Actor Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
Bollywood Actor Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena (image-X/Nitishvkma)

Amid speculations, Govinda joined Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena today, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Govinda is likely to be nominated from the Lok Sabha constituency of Mumbai North-West.

Making a comeback to politics after 14 years, Govinda stated that he would fulfil all responsibilities assigned to him. “I am joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing of God. I thought I would not enter politics again,” said the actor-turned-politician after he was officially sworn into the party by Shinde. Govinda also mentioned that under the governance of the Chief Minister, Mumbai looked cleaner and better. He added that his parents had a good relationship with Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena.

Milind Deora, Rajya Sabha MP, said that he has known the Bollywood actor for 25 years. In 2004, both Deora and Govinda contested elections together. He said that his late father had brought the actor into the foray of Congress. Govinda wants to represent the creative industry and Mumbai, the cultural capital of India, the former Congress member added.

Speculations about Govinda joining Shinde’s Shiv Sena were rife after the two met. A video of Govinda and Shinde sitting in a car together went viral shortly before the announcement was made official.

The Bollywood actor had contested from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha constituency under the banner of Congress in 2004. He defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ram Naik by securing 50,000 votes. However, the actor-turned-politician resigned from his position to focus on his acting career in 2009.