Mumbai: Actor Govinda, who emerged as a giant killer defeating BJP veteran Ram Naik in 2004 LS polls on a Congress ticket, has resurfaced on the political scene after a decade-and-a-half, reports Chaitanya Marpakwar.

Hitching his bandwagon to Shiv Sena this time around, the 60-year-old actor best known for his comic timing shared a stage with CM Shinde. He is touted to be a contender for the Mumbai North West seat though both Shinde and he claimed he had not joined the party for a ticket.

“When I left politics in 2009, I did not think I would come back. But after a 14-year vanvaas, I am coming back to a party where there is Ram Rajya,” Govinda said.

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Mumbai: Govinda who joined Shiv Sena on Thursday would work for the party and be a link between the film industry and govt, chief minister and party head Eknath Shinde said, adding that the actor had not joined Sena for a ticket.

Govinda’s speech at the CM’s official residence, delivered both in Marathi and Hindi, dwelt on the work done by the Shinde govt to give the city a facelift. “I grew up seeing a different Mumbai. Now the city is looking beautiful, its roads are cleaner. The focus on beautification by the respected chief minister has made a mark,” he said, drawing a smile and nod of appreciation from the CM.

Govinda aka Govind Ahuja entered politics in 2004 after his career went into decline with a series of flops. But the stint in Parliament proved far from memorable: he was ranked among the most absentee of MPs. During the LS term his graph as a mass entertainer revived and eventually led to his exit from politics.

Sources said the Sena is currently in touch with a prominent Marathi actor for Mumbai North West; any other name would be considered only if talks with the Marathi actor fail to materialise, said sources. However, Govinda is in the reckoning. The party has reached out to him, said sources. “I will carry out any responsibility given to me honestly…I will do well in the arts and culture department,” the actor said in his speech. “Maharashtra is a blessed land, it is land of saints. Film City is a place of art and culture. It can make a mark the world over,” he added.

The Sena (UBT) has announced Amol Kirtikar as its candidate from Mumbai North West, which comprises the six assembly segments of Jogeshwari E, Dindoshi, Goregaon, Versova, Andheri W and Andheri E. Two of the six segments are with the Sena (UBT) and three with the BJP. With Ravindra Waikar, the Shinde Sena now has one MLA from this area.

State NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil took a dig at the development saying, “Shinde faction should have taken at least some working actor who was doing well,” Patil said.