Govinda Joins Shiv Sena, Here's What Eknath Shinde's 'Partner' Said On His '14-Year Vanvaas'

Govinda, who joined Eknath Shinde's Sena is likely to be fielded from the Mumbai North West constituency by the party.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde welcomes Govinda into the Shiv Sena fold.

Source : Screengrab

Actor Govinda on Thursday called his return to politics a 'homecoming' and said that he had returned from a 14-year exile. He said joining Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena was like returning to 'Ram Rajya'.

मशहूर एक्टर गोविंदा ने महाराष्ट्र के सीएम एनकाथ शिंदे से मुलाकात की और शिवसेना में शामिल हो गए हैं. उन्होंने कहा कि 2009 तक वे राजनीति के क्षेत्र में रहे. अब वनवास के बाद 'रामराज्य' में लौट गए हैं.#maharashtra #govinda #LokSabhaElections2024 #EknathShinde #Shivsena #News #Hindi… pic.twitter.com/fvIltVjouQ

— ABP News (@ABPNews) March 28, 2024

Govinda is likely to be fielded from the Mumbai North West constituency by the Shiv Sena. The Mumbai North West seat will go to polls in the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 20. Govinda rode in the same car as CM Eknath Shinde while going to the party office for the joining.

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda.

Govinda is likely to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra

(Source: Shiv Sena) pic.twitter.com/Wqvq3zlC4l

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024

'Return To Ram Rajya'

Soon after joining Shiv Sena, Govinda said: "Jai Maharashtra, I thank Shinde ji. I was in politics from 2004-09. After getting out of politics, I did not think that I would return. But after 14 years of exile from 2010-24, I have come back to Shinde ji's Ram Rajya."

The prolific actor, who starred in films such as 'Hero No. 1', 'Partner', and 'Bade Miyan, Chhote Miyan', had won the Mumbai Lok Sabha seat in 2004 on a Congress ticket. He exited politics after completing his five-year term. He beat sitting BJP MP Ram Naik by over 50,000 votes. Govinda, however, could not adequately discharge his duties in Parliament and his constituencies. He subsequently resigned from politics in 2008 to focus on acting.

On joining Shiv Sena, he said: "I have no expectations, I have not asked for anything and I will do whatever the party decides." CM Eknath Shinde, too, said that Govinda, a "down-to-earth" person, did not place any demand for his joining. The CM also rejected speculation that Govinda's entry into Shiv Sena was linked to the elections. "Govinda has chosen 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 us without any conditions," Shinde was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda.

Govinda is likely to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra

(Source: Shiv Sena) pic.twitter.com/Wqvq3zlC4l

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024