Will be happy if Amitabh is made President after Pranab- Shatrugan S

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday mooted the name of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan as the next President of India.

"It will be a matter of pride if Amitabh Bachchan, a cultural icon, is made president of the country," Sinha told reporters.

"Amitabh Bachchan has achieved many a milestone in cultural and social fields and if he becomes president, it will fetch a good name for the country," Sinha, who has worked with the star in many successful movies, said.

In reply to a question that Bachchan has favoured his (Sinha's) name for the president's post, the second term BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, said "it's his greatness.

But, I will be happy if he graces the chair of President after Pranab Mukherjee."

Sinha and Bachchan have worked in Bollywood hits like Kaala Pathar, Dostana and Shaan, among others.

The two, however, later fell out with each other and did not come together in films.

Sinha was reportedly not invited for the wedding of Bachchan's son Abhishek Bachchan and had later returned the sweets sent to him.

In reply to a question on the controversy triggered by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi refusing to chantBharat mata ki Jai, Sinha did not name the MP, but said "I feel pride in chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Matram' and will continue to do so in future".

Rules out retirement from politics

The BJP MP ruled out retiring from politics and promised to continue raising issues "objectively".

"I am yet to see many springs in politics ... there is too much time for that (retirement)," Sinha told reporters when asked if he planned to hang up his politician's boots following the "disregard" by BJP.

Asked if wished to withdraw from politics like fellow Bollywood colleague Amitabh Bachhan, 70-year-old Sinha said the comparison was not even as "I have been member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for four times."

Sinha, popularly known as "Bihari Babu", was talking to mediapersons a day before the release of a biography on him .

"Anything but Khamosh" in his home town.

In reponse to a question as to why was he "ignored" within the party, Sinha, the second term Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib, disagreed being "ignored" by BJP and said in days to come he would participate in the party functions.

He also dismissed chance of leaving BJP. "I have said many times and say even today, BJP is my first choice and most probably would be the last choice," he said.

"It's all within the family ... you know utensils collide within family," Sinha said on his not so sweet relations with the BJP leaders since eve of Bihar poll.

Sinha, who served as Cabinet minister in NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said he joined BJP "at the peak of his film career when BJP used to be party of two MPs. My contribution to the party could not be ignored."

"Politics is a mission for me and not a profession. I came to politics to do something for common man and would continue to raise issues concerned with them and which are also good for the party," Sinha said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/shatrughan-pitches-for-amitabh-bachchan-as-next-president/article8366005.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment