Kirron Kher, BJP's candidate from Chandigarh
"
Neta and
abhineta have similarities as we both have a people connect but a neta's job is tougher as people demand much more of their time,'' Kirron Kher says as she start off her day in an open-top Gypsy where she's just had a tiff with workers because many people wanted to clamber on. "And it's also tougher because you always have to smile, even when you're really tired,'' she added.
Kirron Kher is the BJP candidate for Chandigarh and she's not just competing with a fellow actor, Gul Panag, for the title of 'Chandigarh's daughter' but also with 4-time MP and former Railway Minister Pawan Bansal. "I think they're both challenging, but Mr Bansal more so as he's the sitting MP.'' (
In battle for Chandigarh, two actresses and a former minister)
While she takes on Mr Bansal for 'lack of development and poor facilities' in Chandigarh, it's her new age, battle 2.0 on twitter with Gul Panag that's attracted a lot of attention. They shared a cozy bonhomie online but there have been many snide exchanges recently. (
Kirron Kher, Gul Panag file nominations from Chandigarh)
For instance, Gul tweeting- "Doubt if I'll have the energy to run around like this and serve my people, when I'm 60. I guess that's why there's normally a retirement age,'' to which Kirron Kher replied- "My father is 101 years old and still happening. He said, 'Good Luck Puttar. You have Always been winner.' For me Life starts at 60. (sic)"
While speaking to NDTV about it, Kirron Kher said, "I don't know why Gul did that as she used to be so supportive of me before.'' She doesn't underestimate her opponent from AAP, "You never know, Gul could spring a surprise.''
Ms Kher is counting on the 'Modi wave' to pull her through, besides the anti-incumbency disadvantage suffered by the sitting MP. She accepts that there were differences within the BJP on the induction of tainted leaders, but claims that all the top leaders were backing her. (
For Kirron and Anupam Kher, eggs and black flags from BJP workers )