Chennai: It's official. Actor Khushboo has joined Tamil Nadu's ruling party, the DMK.
"Khushbu is a progressive person with great regard for Periyar's ideals," said DMK Chief M Karunanidhi on Friday evening.
Earlier this month, Khushboo had told NDTV that she planned to enter politics in time for the state's next election in 2011, most likely with the Congress. She had said to NDTV, "My family and I have been huge fans of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi...yes, Sonia Gandhi too. The Congress is the best bet now...my family has been voting for the Congress." So far, there's no indication of why she's changed her political preference. She denies she was under any pressure from the DMK to ditch the Congress.
"I wish to serve the people," she said, adding that she would play any political role that Karunanidhi picks for her.
Khushboo has spent the last few years battling a series of court cases accusing her of morally corrupting young minds because of remarks she made on pre-marital sex in an interview to a magazine in 2005. A total of 22 cases were filed against her. She was attacked with eggs and chappals at several court appearances. (
Read: Who is Khushboo?)
Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed all those cases against her.
Khushboo says she stands by the remarks that caused the controversy pointing out that she stressed the need for women to ensure they use contraception in the context of a larger discussion on HIV.
Read:Khushboo ready to join politics with the Congress