At the work front, Govinda last featured in the film Rangeela Raja.
After days of speculation, actor-turned-politician Govinda joined the CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Thursday.
The actor joined the Shiv Sena at the party’s office Balasaheb Bhavan in Nariman Point, in the presence of Chief Minister Shinde, who welcomed the former MP from the Mumbai North seat into the party.
“There was a ‘vanvaas’ from 2010 to 2024,” the actor said, referring to his political hiatus. “I am joining Shiv Sena, and it is a blessing of God. I thought I would not enter politics again,” Govinda said.
“The clean aura (of Shiv Sena) inspired me. We have seen the same level of progress here (in Maharashtra) in the last 2 years as we have seen in the country in the last 10 years. We will focus on the beautification of the state and the growth of art and culture…” The 60-year-old actor said after joining the Shiv Sena.
Reports suggest that Govinda will be fielded from the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, currently held by Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar, with opposition MVA’s candidate being his son Amol Kirtikar.
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Govinda’s Political Stint:
In 2004, Govinda joined the Congress and was fielded from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. He defeated BJP veteran and UP’s governor Ram Naik by a whopping margin of 50,000 votes. During his campaign, he said his agenda would be ‘prawaas’ (transportation), ‘swasthya’ (health), and ‘gyaan’ (education). He continued his film career while serving as an MP. However, in January 2008, he decided to quit politics and focus on his acting career.
“Big Mistake”:
While speaking at the World Marathi Literary meet in Thane in 2012, he had said, “Politics was never in our blood and in our family… I will never return to it.” In 2013, he reiterated his stance, stating that entering politics was a big mistake. “It was a big mistake to join politics. If I am given a chance to change all that, then this is one part of my life I would always like to change,” the actor had told DNA.
“Govinda Used Dawood’s Muscle To Defeat Me In 2004”:
In his autobiography published in 2016, Ram Naik claimed that Bollywood actor and former Member of Parliament Govinda sought help from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to defeat him in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai North. Govinda, however, denied the claim and asked Naik not to damage his image.
High Profile Seat:
The Mumbai North West seat, which Govinda is said to be contesting, has been represented by senior Advocate late Ram Jethmalani, actor Sunil Dutt twice, and his daughter Priya Dutt.
Congress VS UBT Over Contentious Seats Announcement:
The Shiv Sena UBT on Thursday announced a list of 17 candidates, which included contentious seats like Sangli (once a Congress bastion) and 5 out of 6 seats in Mumbai. Disgruntled with the move, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, who was eyeing the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat, lashed out at Sena candidate Amol Kirtikar, who also received ED summons on the same day in an alleged Khichdi scam, saying: “The Sena has given a ticket to a khichdi chor… We will not work for khichdi chor candidates.”
At the work front, Govinda last featured in the film Rangeela Raja.
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