Actress Urmila Matondkar has joined the Indian National Congress today. She was officially welcomed to the party by its president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi today. She was accompanied by Congress’ new Mumbai chief Murli Deora and senior leader Sanjay Nirupam.
She credited Gandhi for joining the party. She said at a press conference, “I am here to stay. Congress is led by a leader who believes in equality. Believes in giving everyone an opportunity and not asking others to prove patriotism.”
There are reports that Matondkar might contest from the Mumbai North region in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections starting from next month. But there has been no official confirmation about the same.
Matondkar isn’t the only Hindi film star to join the party. She will soon have the company of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, who will be joining the Congress soon. Their state committee chairman Akhilesh Prasad Singh told the media yesterday, “Shatrughan Sinha will join the Congress in New Delhi on 28 March at 11.30 am. He will be our candidate from Patna Sahib.”
Sinha has been a two-time Member of Parliament from Patna Sahib, but BJP is fielding Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from that constituency this time. Sinha has been critical of various moves of the ruling party over the years. This is probably the reason for him not getting the ticket from his constituency.