New Delhi: Soon after joining Congress, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, made a faux pas when he referred to senior party leader Shaktisinh Gohil as the 'backbone' of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While addressing the media after formally joining the grand old party, Sinha said, "Shaktisinh Gohil ji (Bihar Congress in-charge) has been the backbone of BJP in Bihar and in Gujarat."
He realised his mistake after he was prompted by Congress leaders and others present at the press conference. Going into a damage control mode, Sinha said it can happen as he is new to the Congress party. "I think you all are mature enough to understand it wasn't deliberate," Sinha told the press.
#WATCH: Shatrughan Sinha after joining Congress says, 'Shakti Singh Gohil ji (Bihar Congress In-charge) has been backbone of BJP in Bihar and in Gujarat,' corrects himself later. pic.twitter.com/ktaMjkkgSW
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019
Sinha joined Congress in the presence of party General Secretary KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
In a series of tweets, Sinha said that he's leaving BJP with a "heavy heart and immense pain."
"It's with a heavy heart and immense pain that I finally bid adieu to my old party, for reasons best known to all of us, on 6th April, which also happens to be the Sansthapna Diwas of BJP," he tweeted.
It's with a heavy heart and immense pain that I finally bid adieu to my old party, for reasons best known to all of us, on 6th April, which also happens to be the Sansthapna Diwas of BJP.
I don't hold any ill will for our people as they were like my family and I was groomed in— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
"I don't hold any ill will for our people as they were like my family and I was groomed in this party with the guidance and blessings of the stalwarts like Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh, late and great PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and of course, our friend philosopher, ultimate leader, guru and guide, Sri LK Advani," he added.
this party with the guidance and blessings of the stalwarts like Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh, late and great PM #atalbiharivajpayee and of course, our friend philosopher, ultimate leader, guru & guide, Sri. L.K #Advani. I would like to include some of those who've not lived up
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
Sinha, who's been criticising the present BJP leadership for long, also said, "I would like to include some of those who've not lived up to the expectations, to those who are responsible for the injustice and for turning Lok Shahi into Tana Shahi. I forgive and forget at this juncture. The differences I have with some of the present people and policies of the party, leave me with no option but to part ways with it."
to the expectations, to those who are responsible for the injustice and for turning Lok Shahi into Tana Shahi. I forgive and forget at this juncture. The differences I have with some of the present people and policies of the party, leave me with no option but to part ways with it
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
For the Congress party, he tweeted:
. I'm hopeful that the Grand Old National Party which I'm stepping into, will provide me with opportunities to serve our people, society and nation in terms of unity, prosperity, progress, development, and glory. This is a party of great nation builders and luminaries like
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and many others.
Under the present President of Congress the very dynamic, able, tried, tested and successful face of today and tomorrow's India, @RahulGandhi, I hope, wish and pray that I'm heading into a better direction. Long live democracy and the— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
.....Congress party, along with the alliance of Lalu and Tejasvi's RJD. Long live our great India. Jai Hind.
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 6, 2019
The Congress is likely to field Sinha from Patna Sahib against BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. On BJP ticket too, Sinha fought from Patna Sahib.
