“I was in politics from 2004 to 2009 and that was the 14th Lok Sabha. This is an amazing coincidence that now, after 14 years, today I have come into politics again,” the 60-year old actor said after joining the party.
Speculations were already rife about Govinda’s re-entry into politics after a recent meeting between the actor and Eknath Shinde, as reported by PTI.
Govinda, had a small stint as a politician when he contested the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in 2004 under the Congress banner. He famously defeated the BJP veteran leader Ram Naik. His victory earned him the epithet of the ‘giant killer.’ This victory was particularly significant as North Mumbai, encompassing several key assembly segments, had long been considered a BJP stronghold. Govinda’s triumph over Ram Naik, a five-time MP, marked a pivotal moment in his political career, underscoring his popularity and influence in the region.
However, Govinda later parted ways with the Congress party and decided not to contest elections in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
With his past experience in electoral politics, Govinda’s return adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.