Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Marathi actor Amol Kolhe, who attained popularity for his portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji in a TV serial, Wednesday joined the Shiv Sena.
He joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Kolhe had earlier been in touch with Thackeray's bete-noire, his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray who leads the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The Shiv Sena has been hit by several high-profile defections in recent weeks.
Kolhe, a doctor by profession, has acted in several TV serials like "Rajmata Jijau", "Olakh" and "Raja Shiv Chhatrapati".
Lashing out at the MNS and Raj Thackeray, he said: "I never approached anybody. They approached me. They even offered me a Lok Sabha nomination, but I had no faith in that party's leadership."
The MNS was planning to name Kolhe for the Shirur Lok Sabha seat, but at the last minute changed its plan and gave the ticket to Ashok Khandebarad.
"I feel happy supporting a party (Shiv Sena) which will show the way in Maharashtra instead of some other party (MNS) which is destroying it," Kolhe said.
The timing could not have been more appropriate as the Shiv Sena Wednesday celebrated the "Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti".
The party was founded by late Bal Thackeray based on the warrior king's ideals.
Asked about the recent defections, Uddhav Thackeray said these were too insignificant to matter for the party.
"But, what about the Nationalist Congress Party? Don't they have good candidates that they have to wait for outsiders to give Lok Sabha tickets," Uddhav said, ridiculing the NCP which has attracted several Shiv Sena defectors.
New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) The national capital was fully prepared to receive US President Barack
International labour Day 2023: labour Day is celebrated every year worldwide to honor labourers a
A businessman who runs a printing press on the Singhu border is so scared of the farmers' movemen
Samsung Galaxy M04 On Amazon: Samsung has launched a phone that will please its customers. Samsun
Remains of ancient temple found during excavation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, see picture
Remains of an ancient temple have been found during excavation at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. Which inc
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) veteran batsman Virat Kohli can achieve a big feat during the m
92 thousand 969 corona were found infected in the country on Friday. However, it was a relief tha
Five ex-police officers in Jharkhand poll fray
Ranchi, March 24 (IANS) Five former Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including a sitting Lo
Centre plans to create special agency for Ganga cleaning
New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) To check pollution in the Ganga river, the central government plans to
There is bound to be an earthquake in the politics of the Rajasthan Congress. First Minister Raje
