New Delhi: Star campaigner and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shatrughan Sinha is both appreciated and envied for his oratory skills and forthright views by leaders of several political parties.
A crowd-puller, he is contesting for the Lok Sabha elections from Bihar’s Patna Saheb seat for the second time. He had won in 2009 by a huge margin. Having worked in over 200 Bollywood movies and shifting from the world of glamour to the corridors of power, Sinha has been associated with the party for more than two decades. Reports suggested that BJP leader in the Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad was keen to contest from Patna Saheb. But Sinha made it clear: “Patna Saheb is my first and last choice.” And he bagged the ticket to his native place.
Accused by the opposition parties of making rare visits to his constituency, Sinha recently claimed: “Check the record from my office or airport on how many times I come to Patna... I come here almost four times a month.”
He speaks to Gulf News in an exclusive interview.
Gulf News (GN): The party asked you to contest from Delhi this time. Why did you reject the offer and opt for Patna Saheb again?
Shatrughan Sinha (SS): This should have rather been appreciated, because this time many people have opted for seats in new locations and for different reasons. But unlike them, I was bent upon this seat, which speaks volumes. This meant I had tremendous confidence in the people of Patna and had high acceptability, respectability and popularity among the masses. Had I left this seat for Delhi or Timbuktu, it would have meant betraying the peoples’ trust in me.
GN: In a scenario where Lal Krishna Advani was not given the constituency of his choice and Jaswant Singh ignored, how did you manage to put up a strong case for yourself?
SS: I can only say that wisdom and good sense prevailed upon some leaders and they accepted, or you may say, succumbed to the idea.
GN: Was it because they were scared you would join another party?
SS: Joining another party did not and does not arise.
GN: If the BJP comes to power, which ministry would you be vying for?
SS: The distribution of portfolios is the prerogative of the prime minister of the country. However, health has been a very important issue for me. For years, I have been leading the anti-tobacco campaign, cancer awareness programmes, blood donation campaigns and I have also been supporting organ donation programmes. Even though health issues are very close to my heart and I would prefer the ministry for health, whatever ministry I am offered, and if offered, it would be acceptable to me.
GN: Under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance government, you held the Ministry of Health portfolio. But when you began doing good work, why were you transferred to the shipping ministry?
SS: Only those who transferred me can answer that! Though I was shifted from the social sector to the economic zone, I admit that the health ministry enables one to serve the society in a much better way. So, if the health ministry happens, I would like to continue the unfinished tasks this time round.
GN: You refer to veteran leader Advani as a mentor and guide, but said nothing in protest on his being sidelined by the party that harps on Indian values and culture?
SS: Even today, Advani remains my mentor and an ultimate leader. As far as my silence on the crisis and whatever happened or did not happen to him is concerned, if I did not say anything then, that was the call of the day, which I followed. And once the parliamentary board decided things, I felt it was not right to speak up when elections were round the corner.
GN: You are known for speaking your mind, but of late, you seem to have mellowed. What’s the reason? Has the party silenced you?
SS: Whether it is reel life or real life, sense of timing is the most important thing. At this juncture, I do not want to say anything and deviate or divert the focus from the main issue, which is that the party should win the elections and come to power at the centre.
BOX
• Shatrughan Sinha was born on July 15, 1946 in Patna, Bihar.
• His political inclination began during the Jaya Prakash Narayan movement - 1974.
• Along with working in films, he became the BJP’s star campaigner - 1984.
• He ventured into full-time politics by contesting against Congress candidate and film star Rajesh Khanna in the Lok Sabha elections – 1992.
• Became a member of Rajya Sabha – 1996-2002.
• Second term in the Rajya Sabha – 2002 – 2008.
• Appointed Minister for Health – 2002.
• Appointed Minister for Shipping – 2003.
• Entered the Limca Book of Records for being the first Indian film actor-turned-politician to acquire a Cabinet berth.
• Won the Lok Sabha elections from Patna Saheb, Bihar – 2009.
