January 8th, 2009
Today in New Delhi, Samajwadi Party general secretary told reporters that actor Sanjay Dutt will be their party’s candidate to contest the next Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow. This announcement finally led to rest all doubts about whether or not Dutt would join politics like his late father, actor Sunil Dutt and sister, Priya Dutt, both Members of Parliament under Congress. The Lucknow constituency is presently representated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
When asked if Dutt would be disallowed from contesting the elections because of the criminal cases against him, Amar Singh said, the party would move the Election Commission or the Supreme Court. He further added that Dutt held him like an elder brother and would do anything for him, despite not being a political person himself.
The constituency is currently represented by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Bollywood insiders are claiming it is Sanju’s jail yatra that has been instrumental in him considering becoming a politician. “He is a very changed man since the time he has come back from Yerawada prison. He has become more spiritual and is not talking movies at all.” says a close pal of the actor.
Sanjay’s sister Priya Dutt is already a Member of Parliament and represents North Mumbai constituency for Congress. She had won the same seat, earlier represented by Sanju’s dad, Sunil Dutt. Earlier it had been reported that, two years back the controversial star had a tiff with sister, Priya over standing for the by-election on their father’s seat. He was even interested that time to contest elections.
When we tried speaking Dutt’s film industry friends, they openly avoided commenting about whether he would make a good politician or would he be taken advantage off for his naivety in the dirty world of politics.
