After Govinda gamble, rush for sequels

After the Congress’ gamble with Govinda won it the North-Mumbai seat from five-time BJP MP Ram Naik, the build-up to the Assembly polls...

After the Congress’ gamble with Govinda won it the North-Mumbai seat from five-time BJP MP Ram Naik, the build-up to the Assembly polls has seen several Bollywood personalities being wooed for ‘‘difficult’’ seats.

Among the names doing the rounds are those of actors Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal, Raza Murad and director Kirti Ahuja, who is also Govinda’s elder brother. While some of these filmstars denied they were in the race, others did not rule out the possibility of entering the fray.

The Congress said it has put some of its senior leaders at work to convince Paresh Rawal to contest against BJP’s Prakash Mehta in Ghatkopar. ‘‘We have approached Paresh Rawal, I am sure, he will accept our plea,’’ MRCC president Gurudas Kamat said.

Story continues below this ad

The BJP has won thrice from Gujarati-dominated Ghatkopar. ‘‘It’s impossible to win it with our existing options,’’ Kamat’s aide admitted. ‘‘Rawal is popular among Gujaratis’’ and could help Congress break new ground, he said.

The actor denied all talk of contesting the polls. ‘‘No way, no way, no way,’’ is how he reacted.

Another Bollywood face on the Congress canvas is that of Raza Murad. A former Samajwadi Party member, Murad joined the Congress yesterday. His wife, Shahrukh, also an SP member, confirmed the switch. According to sources, Murad quit SP because he was denied a ticket from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. However, his wife denied this.

Director Kirti Ahuja has also applied for a Congress nomination from Kandivli.

Story continues below this ad

AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra Margaret Alva confirmed the ‘‘rush’’ of VIPs and filmstars for tickets, but added that ‘‘long-standing party workers cannot be ignored’’.

Among other parties, the Shiv Sena is keen on fielding Nana Patekar from Roha against Minister of State for Urban Development Sunil Tatkare (NCP). But Patekar said he was ‘‘not interested’’ when asked if Uddhav Thackeray or any other party leader had approached to him.

The SP, which won three Assembly seats in 1999, is also planning to field a star opposite Minister for Technical Education Nawab Malik in Nehru Nagar in North-Central Mumbai.

Sources said SP’s city president Abu Asim Azmi has urged general secretary Amar Singh to rope in a Bollywood star currently working in a Sahara TV serial. He is keen to get back at Malik who moved to NCP after being elected on an SP ticket in 1999. But the plan would fall flat without a high-profile candidate, said sources.

Story continues below this ad

The BJP is not banking on Bollywood alone. Fashion designer Shaina N.C. is slated to join the party as head of its health and culture cell. Her induction — along with a group of 250 lawyers, CAs and other professionals — is scheduled for Tuesday.

‘‘I am a student of political science and the subject has always been my passion,’’ says Shaina. ‘‘In fact, my school friends always thought I would do something in the public domain. I think fashion happened by chance.’’ Her father, Nana Chudasama, ex-Mumbai sheriff, said he is glad his daughter took the plunge.

‘‘She has her own political inclination,’’ said state BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, adding that it was Shaina who approached the party.

While the entry of celebrities has enthused most parties, citizens’ groups have voiced their concern. ‘‘You can’t say they (celebrities) should not contest. But they must find time to devote to it,’’ said B.G. Deshmukh, former principal secretary, Maharashtra.