Actor Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Likely To Contest From Mumbai North West

Govinda is likely to contest from Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming polls. 

Veteran Bollywood Actor Govinda on Thursday joined Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Govinda is likely to contest from Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming polls. 

Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat will go to polls in the Phase 5 of Lok Sabha polls on May 20. Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old veteran actor into Shiv Sena, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society.

After joining Shiv Sena, Govinda said he was in politics from 2004 to 2009 and he is back after an amazing coincidence.  

"I was in politics from 2004 to 2009 and that was the 14th Lok Sabha. This is an amazing coincidence that now, after 14 years, today I have come into politics again," Govinda said. 

Earlier today, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde was seen travelling with Govinda.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora said, "I have known Govinda for almost 25 years. In 2004, we both fought elections together. My late father had brought him to Congress... He is a man with a clean heart, and he wants to represent the creative industry and the cultural capital of the country, Mumbai."

Speaking on the occasion, Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field. Govinda said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance.

The actor also praised Shiv Sena and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The clean aura (of Shiv Sena) inspired me. I have always said that PM Modi is a very person. 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," he added.

Govinda's Political Career

Govinda started his political career in 2004 when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. Govinda's victory earned him the moniker of the 'giant killer'.

The North Mumbai seat, traditionally considered a BJP stronghold, encompasses Borivali, Dahisar, Magathane, Kandivali East, Charkop, and Malad West assembly segments.

Govinda's candidature under the Congress banner in the same constituency marked a watershed moment in his political career, as he won against five-time MP Ram Naik, by a margin of 48,000 votes.