New Delhi: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has come out in support of his niece Saira Shah Halim, who is contesting the West Bengal bypolls from the Ballygunge constituency on a CPIM ticket against TMC’s Babul Supriyo.
Naseeruddin Shah posted a short video on social media, asking the voters to vote for his niece whom he called a "compassionate and committed person". Without naming anyone, he took a swipe at Supriyo, calling him a "hate monger".
"The choice before voters is a clear one. Would you like your representative to be a caring, compassionate, and committed person who will work for you, or would you prefer a turncoat opportunist who is also a serial hate-monger?" Naseeruddin Shah said.
He also made clear that he was not affiliated with any political party and made this request to the voters in a personal capacity.
“I am not affiliated to nor do I owe allegiance to any political party. I am here in my individual capacity to support the candidature of Saira Shah Halim for the upcoming Ballygunge byelections,” he said.
Shah further added that he is making this request as he sees the potential in Halim keeping his family ties aside.
“Family ties aside, I have always found her to be a courageous and caring person of integrity, who is always eager to help the less fortunate. She has been a vocal defender of our rights,” he said.
A similar video was released by his wife Ratna Pathak Shah. She also requested the people to vote for Halim.
The by-elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 12 and the counting of the same would be conducted on April 16. Meanwhile, BJP has not declared its candidates yet.