Lok Sabha Elections 2024 are around the corner and several celebrities including Kangana Ranaut, Yusuf Pathan, and others are contesting for the first time. Also, several seasoned celebrity-turned-politicians like Hema Malini, and Ravi Kishan will once again be testing their mettle in the upcoming elections.
One more celebrity who will be making his comeback in Politics is Govinda who once said that he will never return to politics. In the year 2004, Govinda joined the Indian National Congress and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mumbai.
Govinda said ‘Will Never Return to Politics’
In 2009, Govinda asserted that despite the central leadership of the Congress being inclined to nominate him once more from the Mumbai North seat for the then Lok Sabha elections, internal rivals within the party obstructed his path.
His noteworthy declaration in 2012 was delivered during the World Marathi Literary Meeting. He stated, “Politics was never ingrained in our blood or our family, I have no intention of returning to it.”
Similarly, in 2013, Govinda reaffirmed that entering politics had been perhaps the gravest mistake of his life. “Given the chance to rectify it, this is one aspect of my life I would eagerly alter,” he expressed.
Why did Govinda return to Politics?
Bollywood actor Govinda said his return to politics is because of the “clean aura” of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction. Govinda said the purity of atmosphere within Shiv Sena inspired him and he has consistently acknowledged PM Modi’s distinctiveness.
Impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s developmental strategies, Govinda, formerly a Congress MP, expressed his readiness to engage in the arts and culture domain if given an opportunity. Drawing a parallel between his reentry into politics and the exile period of the Ramayana, the seasoned actor, Govinda Ahuja by full name, remarked, “I was active in politics from 2004 to 2009. Coincidentally, I’m rejoining politics after 14 years.”
The chief minister hasn’t clarified whether Govinda will contest from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha seat. However, Shinde mentioned that the veteran actor hasn’t set any conditions. “He simply wishes to contribute to the film industry,” the CM stated, adding that Govinda hasn’t joined the party to secure an election ticket.