New Delhi: Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena announced the names of first eight candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Thursday. The party fielded Rahul Shewale from Mumbai South Central, Hemant Patil from Hingoli, among seven sitting MPs.
The other candidates were Sadashiv Lokhande from Shirdi, Prataprao Jadav from Buldhana, former Congress MLA Raju Parve from Ramtek, Sanjay Mandalik from Kolhapur, Srirang Appa Barne from Maval, and Dhairyasheel Mane from Hatkanangale. Parve had joined Shiv Sena recently and he was fielded replacing sitting MP Krupal Tumane.
Earlier in the day, Bollywood actor Govinda, renowned for his comic prowess and iconic dance moves during the 1990s, made a foray back into politics after a hiatus of 14 years by joining the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai.
The former Lok Sabha MP from Congress joined Shiv Sena just days ahead of the general elections, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde present during his induction.
Govinda, celebrated for his numerous blockbuster movies spanning decades, had a spectacular entry into politics in 2004. That year, the "Hero No. 1" star earned the moniker of a "giant killer" by defeating BJP veteran Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency.
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CM Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into the party, acknowledging his widespread popularity across various sections of the society.
Expressing his sentiments on the occasion, an emotionally touched Govinda, whose cinematic journey began in the 1980s, said that after his initial stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he had never anticipated returning to the same field.
"I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," Govinda quipped after joining Shiv Sena.
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