#Elections2019: Sunny Deol joins BJP; likely to contest from Gurdaspur
What's the story
Bollywood actor Sunny Deol has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday amid speculations that he would contest the ongoing 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Before joining the BJP, Deol earlier met BJP National President Amit Shah in Pune on Friday. The meeting, naturally, sparked speculations of him joining the ruling party. He is likely to contest from Gurdaspur. Here's more.
Seat-sharing
In SAD-BJP tie up, saffron party got three seats
Punjab has 13 parliamentary seats and elections will be held in the state in a single phase, i.e., on May 19. BJP has forged an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal for the polls. As part of the arrangement, SAD will field candidates from 10 Lok Sabha seats and BJP from three. The three seats which fell into BJP's lap are Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur.
Statement
My work will do the talking: Deol
After joining the BJP, Deol was quoted by ANI as saying, "The way my papa (veteran actor Dharmendra) worked with and supported Atal ji, I am here today to work with and support Modi ji. My work will do the talking." His father Dharmendra is currently campaigning for his wife Hema Malini, who is the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Mathura.
Twitter Post
Here's what Deol said after joining the BJP
Sunny Deol after joining BJP: The way my Papa worked with and supported Atal ji, I am here today to work with and support Modi ji. My work will do the talking. pic.twitter.com/JyAKFcG4Rn
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2019
Information
Polling in Punjab to be held on May 19
Deol joined BJP in the presence of the ruling party leaders and Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. Punjab goes to polls in the seventh and final phase on May 19.
Backs Modi
I want PM Modi for the next five years: Deol
"Like my father joined Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I have decided to go with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I want PM Modi for the next five years," said Deol. "Deol made the film 'Border' which showed how the feeling of nationalism and patriotism when portrayed beautifully on film can touch a chord with the people," Nirmala Sitharaman said after Deol joined the party.
Details
Separately, actor Akshaye Khanna being considered for Gurdaspur too
Meanwhile, BJP is also considering late actor and BJP leader Vinod Khanna's wife Kavita or his son and Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. Khanna held the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency in Punjab for four terms until his death in 2017. The final decision regarding Deol's constituency will be made soon.