Lucknow: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who said he would contest upcoming Indian parliamentary elections, took out his first road show in Lucknow on Saturday. Dutt is to contest from Lucknow as a candidate of the Samajwadi Party, a key ally of the ruling Congress. The actor, clad in perfect 'Indian politician attire' of white kurta-payjama and Nehru vesti, received a rousing welcome from his fans and party supporters in Lucknow. Dutt told reporters that he wanted to work for the people and expected them to learn 'Gandhigiri' from him.

     The actor-turned-politician was accompanied by wife Manyatta and Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tewari in his first ever political rally. A bearded Sanjay won the crowds by promising to practice Gandhigiri (practicing non-violent methods) and said he would give "jadu ki jhappi" to the people of the constituency - referring to his mega hit film "Lage Raho Munnabhai". "Mai yahan logon ko pyar karne aya hun aur pyar lene aya hun. Log mujhe jaadu ki jhappi dein" (I am here to love people and seek their love. People here should give me a magic hug), Dutt told reporters. The crowd was heavy and seemed ecstatic after seeing the Bollywood super star. Dutt had declared on Friday that he would contest the coming polls as an SP candidate and paid no ear to his sister's (Congress MP Priya Dutt) disapproval to join a party other than Congress.
- Jan 17, 2009