'Inspired' by PM Modi, actor Sunny Deol joins BJP; likely to contest from Gurdaspur
The actor was welcomed by union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal into the fold.
By ET Online | Updated:
Actor Sunny Deol joins BJP in presence of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman
NEW DELHI: 'Gadar' actor Sunny Deol is the latest from the film fraternity to throw his hat in the political ring. The 62-year-old joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Capital on Tuesday.
The actor was welcomed into the party fold by union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. He took to Twitter to thank the BJP for a 'warm welcome'.
Thanks a lot @BJP4India @narendramodi ji @AmitShah ji @Ramlal ji @PiyushGoyal ji @nsitharaman ji @CaptAbhimanyu ji… https://t.co/NQgIGfLu0i
Speaking on his political debut, Deol said that he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and took the political plunge as he wanted to make a difference in public life, and would rather have his work speak for himself.
"The way my father (film star Dharmendra) was attached with Atal ji, today I have come to join Modi ji," Deol, said, while addressing the media.
"Whatever I can do for this family (BJP), I will do it....I won't talk, I will show you through my work," Deol added.
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Delhi: Actor Sunny Deol joins Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sithar… https://t.co/xuzWHy2H4D
Last week, the actor had met the party president Amit Shah at the Pune airport which had led to speculation about him making a political debut. Deol is likely to be fielded from Gurdaspur - late actor Vinod Khanna's bastion for over a decade - which the BJP lost to the Congress after the latter's demise.
Deol's father, Dharmendra, had also contested on a BJP ticket from Bikaner (Rajasthan) in the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections. Dharmendra's second wife, Hema Malini, is a BJP MP from Mathura. She is seeking a re-election from the same constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
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The 62-year-old actor is best known for his roles as a brawny, action hero in superhit films like 'Border', 'Gadar: Ek Prem', 'Ghatak' and 'Narsimha'.
Actress Kirron Kher, popular for her witty comments, welcomed the 'Border' actor to BJP. Hailing him as an 'evergreen superstar', the 63-year-old tweeted, "Dhai Kilo ka haath aur 56 inch ka seena ab ek saath. A warm welcome to the evergreen superstar @iamsunnydeol in @BJP4India family. Hope you serve the nation with the same zeal and Josh that you carry with you."
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Dhai Kilo ka haath aur 56 inch ka seena ab ek saath. A warm welcome to the evergreen superstar @iamsunnydeol in… https://t.co/7DA4FGZP3o
Poll-Pourri: Sunny Deol, Urmila & Other Stars Who've Joined Politics
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It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Matondkar and Gautam Gambhir are hoping to score on their debuts today.
Here are some film stars who have dabbled in politics over the years.
It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Mat..
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Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
The 'Rangeela' actress, who is contesting from the Mumbai North constituency against BJP MP Gopal Shetty, is hoping to score a victory.
Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chi..
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Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). However, in 2010, she was expelled due to anti-party activities.
In March this year, Prada joined BJP. She is set to take on her friend-turned-foe, SP's Azam Khan, from Rampur today.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). ..
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Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. However, he did not feel welcome in the Rahul Gandhi-led party. In the same year, he switched to the BJP.
In the 17th Lok Sabha polls, the singer is competing against Congress's Udit Raj from North-west Delhi.
If he proves victorious today, he will be one of the leading Dalit faces from the party.
Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. ..
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'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year-old confirmed that she was keen on contesting the elections on a Congress ticket from Mumbai.
The 'Bigg Boss 11' winner's fate in politics will be decided today.
'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year..
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Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's results could either mark the beginning of her political career or put it to an end to it altogether.
Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's res..
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Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, the results will tell if the actress is set to embark on a political career or not.
Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, ..
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Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), was sworn as an MP for the Rajya Sabha in 2016. Later in the same year, Gopi joined the BJP.
This year, Gopi contested from Thrissur constituency. Today's poll results will tell what's next on the actor's to-do list.
Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM..
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Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
This year, the 'Dabangg 2' actor contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru central. He was pitted against Congress's Rizwan Arshad.
Going by the results, the actor is currently trailing in his constituency.
Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalis..
