Govinda scotches rumour of his quitting politics

Mumbai, Dec 22 (UNI) Ahead of the Congress party rally in the city tomorrow to be addressed by party president Sonia Gandhi, actor-turned-politician Govinda today alleged that certain vested interests were trying to sabotage his relations with the party high command by spreading the canard that he was quitting politics.

Govinda Ahuja, who is popularly known as Govinda, said those spreading the canard were attempting to spoil glory of his happiness over his latest movie ''Bhagam Bhag'' (Racing Around) which, he said, opened to bumper draw today.'' It is a housefull till Monday... it is being shown on 283 screens in Mumbai alone,'' he told mediapersons at his Juhu residence today.

He said such speculations about his quitting politics have been made regularly in the last two years but now the time has come to scotch such rumour-mongering once for all.

''Fresh speculation on my political career has been made by vested interests on the eve of an important party rally,'' he said adding.

''I will participate in the rally in Shivaji Park tomorrow.'' ''I will campaign whereever I am directed to by the party high command, including Uttar Pradesh.'' Asked if the vested interests belong to his party, Govinda, who was elected to the Lok Sabha two years ago, said it did not bother him who they were.

Govinda, who has acted in more than 115 movies since his debut in 1986, said his voters have never complained about his not being accessible, only disgruntled elements have been spreading such a canard. ''My primary concern about my constituents remain education, water and transport and I am focussed on it.'' UNI MR SA SK DB2311