When Govinda Said He Would Never Return To Politics, Called It Full Of 'Deception'

Bollywood actor Govinda has entered the political arena once again after 14 years by joining the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Govinda has entered the political arena once again after 14 years by joining the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai. In the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the party. During the occasion, Govinda, who had quit politics to never return, said, "I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile).” 

Govinda's prior political stint
Govinda had made a notable entry into electoral politics back in 2004. That year, the 'Hero No. 1' actor earned the moniker of a "giant killer" by clinching victory over BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat as a Congress candidate. 

When Govinda said he will never return to politics
The actor’s political tenure lasted from 2004 to 2009, and he had always emphasised that he would never repeat his political stint. 

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 reaffirmed his position, 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. 

He had also said that he faced difficulties in rejuvenating his acting career post-2009. 

“I am working very hard, but all the years that I have wasted in politics are taking a toll on my career,” he had then told DNA. 

In 2007, during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he had called politics full of deception. 

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, he had said, “I'm like water. My temperature depends on the atmosphere. Things around me had become so volatile, I couldn't function properly. In Indian politics, deception seems a by-word. I'll have none of that. From now on, I want to be a part of only those factions that believe in decency and hard work. That applies to both cinema and politics. I've severed all relations with undesirable elements. I met Sonia (Gandhi) ji and told her I want to work towards improving my own constituency. Now, I find the clouds around me dispersing. I want to get as close to nature as possible.” 

The actor will most likely be fielded from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming elections.