“My Victory Is A  Tight Slap On The Face Of All Those Who Were Eager To Write Me Off,” Shatrughan Sinha

 Shatrughan Sinha’s victory for the  bypolls  to the Asansol  Lok Sabha seat has  the actor-politician in  a buoyant  mood.

“I’ve won by  a far  bigger lead than the earlier candidate from the  BJP  who won the last elections from Asansol,” Shatrughan Sinha is rightful jubilant when I call him on Saturday afternoon. “Did I expect this  victory? I would be lying to  you if I said I did not. All credit must go  to Mamta Banerjee’s cadre  of foot soldier, and her  power  among the  people  of West Bengal. Those who are  in  a hurry to write  her  off should  stand back and  reflect. She is gaining mores  trength  with time. That  goes for me also. Do not make the mistake of writing  me  off. This victory is  a tight slap on  the face of  those who were eager  to write me  off,” says Shatruji .

 Cheering crowds and noises  of victory could be heard  in the background as we  spoke.  “It feels  good to be in a party ruled by a woman. Whether it is my home  or politics, I’ve always enjoyed being dominated by women,” Shatruji quips.

Shatruji sees himself as  the master  of reinvention. “I started my film career with cameos. I moved to playing the  main villain. Then I  reinvented my career as a  leading man. After I joined politics I started as a loyal soldier of India’s  biggest action hero the honourable Narendra  Modi. Now  I am with  Mamata Banerjee. I intend to spend  a lot of time in Asansol or wherever  she wants me  to be.”

 But at heart he admits he is  still a  Bihari Babu.  “My heart beats  for Bihar. My ties with my home state remain the same, in fact stronger now than ever  before, as  Bihar and Bengal are siblings.”