01-27-2009, 07:52 PM
<b>Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha insists on contesting from Patna Saheb</b>
Surat, Jan 27: Insisting that he will contest the coming Lok Sabha elections from Patna Saheb constituency, his place of birth, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha said on Tuesday he would, however, not quit the BJP if denied a ticket.
"Patna Saheb seat is my first choice, second choice and the last choice," he said to a news agency.
"I do not see any reason why BJP should not nominate me from Patna Saheb...in case I am denied nomination, for which there is a remote chance, I will prefer retirement," Sinha said only to backtrack later and claim that this was said in jest.
The Bollywood star, popularly known as Shotgun Sinha among his fans, categorically ruled out joining Congress, Samajwadi Party or any other party in case he was denied nomination from his chosen constituency.
"I have many friends and well-wishers in opposition parties but nothing more should be read of the personal relationships that I have with them," he said.
"I have served BJP with full dedication under the leadership of veteran party leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani and cannot think of leaving it for some other party," the actor said.
Sinha, also known as "Bihari Babu", claimed that he has made the announcement only after consulting senior party leaders including BJP PM nominee L K Advani and party president Rajnath Singh.
"I would like to enter the LS through the front door (birth place Patna Saheb)," he said.
Shotgun said he has served his native place Patna as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Bihar twice and wished to continue doing the same as a member of the Lok Sabha in future.
Sinha's insistence on contesting from Patna Saheb on a BJP ticket has raised political eyebrows as the party has not officially nominated him from the seat.
According to media reports, besides Sinha, BJP national spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is also a resident of Patna, is another contender for the seat.
After delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, the old Patna Lok Sabha seat has been bifurcated into Patna Saheb and Patliputra.
Sinha's open declaration despite the absence of any official BJP announcement comes in the wake of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's statements that he wished to contest the coming elections from Rajasthan.
The media has already been speculating that Shekhwat's desire to contest elections reflects a challenge to Advani for the post of Prime Minister if the NDA is voted to power. Shotgun's statements may only add grist to the mills of those claiming that the BJP is rife with internal dissensions.
Source: Zeenews
<b> My doors are open for Shatrughan Sinha: Amar Singh</b>
New Delhi
With actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha sulking over the issue of a Lok Sabha ticket from Bihar, Samajwadi Party today said that he would be welcome in its fold.
"I can only say to Shatrughan Sinha ji that if someone breaks your heart, my doors are open and will remain open for you," SP leader Amar Singh said here.
Sinha has been demanding a ticket from Patna Sahib for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, a seat in which two other party leaders, including its spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, are also interested.
Source: PTI
Surat, Jan 27: Insisting that he will contest the coming Lok Sabha elections from Patna Saheb constituency, his place of birth, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha said on Tuesday he would, however, not quit the BJP if denied a ticket.
"Patna Saheb seat is my first choice, second choice and the last choice," he said to a news agency.
"I do not see any reason why BJP should not nominate me from Patna Saheb...in case I am denied nomination, for which there is a remote chance, I will prefer retirement," Sinha said only to backtrack later and claim that this was said in jest.
The Bollywood star, popularly known as Shotgun Sinha among his fans, categorically ruled out joining Congress, Samajwadi Party or any other party in case he was denied nomination from his chosen constituency.
"I have many friends and well-wishers in opposition parties but nothing more should be read of the personal relationships that I have with them," he said.
"I have served BJP with full dedication under the leadership of veteran party leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani and cannot think of leaving it for some other party," the actor said.
Sinha, also known as "Bihari Babu", claimed that he has made the announcement only after consulting senior party leaders including BJP PM nominee L K Advani and party president Rajnath Singh.
"I would like to enter the LS through the front door (birth place Patna Saheb)," he said.
Shotgun said he has served his native place Patna as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Bihar twice and wished to continue doing the same as a member of the Lok Sabha in future.
Sinha's insistence on contesting from Patna Saheb on a BJP ticket has raised political eyebrows as the party has not officially nominated him from the seat.
According to media reports, besides Sinha, BJP national spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is also a resident of Patna, is another contender for the seat.
After delimitation of Parliamentary constituencies, the old Patna Lok Sabha seat has been bifurcated into Patna Saheb and Patliputra.
Sinha's open declaration despite the absence of any official BJP announcement comes in the wake of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's statements that he wished to contest the coming elections from Rajasthan.
The media has already been speculating that Shekhwat's desire to contest elections reflects a challenge to Advani for the post of Prime Minister if the NDA is voted to power. Shotgun's statements may only add grist to the mills of those claiming that the BJP is rife with internal dissensions.
Source: Zeenews
<b> My doors are open for Shatrughan Sinha: Amar Singh</b>
New Delhi
With actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha sulking over the issue of a Lok Sabha ticket from Bihar, Samajwadi Party today said that he would be welcome in its fold.
"I can only say to Shatrughan Sinha ji that if someone breaks your heart, my doors are open and will remain open for you," SP leader Amar Singh said here.
Sinha has been demanding a ticket from Patna Sahib for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, a seat in which two other party leaders, including its spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, are also interested.
Source: PTI