Mumbai: Marathi actor Amol Kolhe, who attained popularity for his portrayal of Chhatrapati Shivaji in a TV serial, on 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.
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.
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."
Advertisement
"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.
Advertisement
The party was founded by late Bal Thackeray based on the warrior king's ideals.
Advertisement
"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.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Shiv Sena, BJP Leaders Exchange Barbs Over Mumbai-Goa Highway Maharashtra LLB 2024 Counselling: Round 2 Seat Allotment Result Out, Check Details Video: Maharashtra Woman Saves Son's Life, Chases Away 3 Men Who Attacked Him Indian Airports, Borders On Alert As Global Mpox Cases Rise: 10 Points "My Intention Was To...": Sudha Murty Clarifies Raksha Bandhan Post Flower Seller Forced To Buy iPhone For Son On Hunger Strike, Internet Reacts "Hang Him Or Do...": Mother-In-Law Of Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Accused Former Congressman George Santos Pleads Guilty To Fraud Joe Biden's Son Hunter Loses Bid To Toss Tax Evasion Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.