Bollywood star Govinda enters Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to resume his political career.
Govinda, a veteran Bollywood actor, has joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde. Govinda previously ran for the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in 2004 under the Congress party, defeating BJP candidate Ram Naik.
Govinda, a Bollywood actor, made a comeback to politics on Thursday by joining the right-wing Shiv Sena in the presence of Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of Maharashtra in Mumbai. The actor previously won elections on a Congress ticket in the Virar constituency, defeating BJP stalwart Ram Naik.
“I have returned to politics following a 14-year ‘vanvas’ ,” declared Govinda upon joining the Shiv Sena.
If given the opportunity, the actor stated he would work in the arts and cultural sector.
Govinda, affectionately known as Chi Chi, praised the efforts of the federal administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “We have seen the same level of progress here (in Maharashtra) in the last two years, as we have seen in the country in the last 10 years.” Our priorities will be the development of art and culture as well as the state’s aesthetic appeal.”
When Govinda ran for the Congress in the 2004 Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency, he briefly entered politics. He most notably defeated longtime BJP leader Ram Naik. He was dubbed the “giant killer” after his triumph. Given that North Mumbai, which includes a number of important assembly segments, had long been seen as a BJP bastion, this result was especially noteworthy. Govinda’s victory over five-time MP Ram Naik was a turning point in his political career.
Later on, though, Govinda broke away from the Congress party and chose not to run for office in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora welcomed Govinda to the party, stating that he had known the seasoned Bollywood star for twenty-five years. Deora recalled that he and Govinda had battled together in the 2004 elections.
