Despite being a debutant, Luv Sinha secured 31 per cent of votes--will continue to strive-work for his people,” Punam and Shatrughan Sinha

Chaitanya Padukone

Although he did not win, suave actor-turned-politician Luv Sinha ( son of iconic actor-politician Shatrughan ( ‘khaamosh’) Sinha and former winsome actress-now-politician Punam Sinha ) is among the major stunning surprises of the just-concluded Bihar Vidhan Sabha election. Known for his screen-performances in movies like Sadiyaan (2010) and Paltan (2018), Luv ( brother of vivacious star-actress Sonakshi Sinha ) made his political debut in the Bankipur assembly constituency on a Congress ticket. Incidentally, Bankipur is part of the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency that elected his father Shatrughan twice to the parliament in 2009 and 2014.

An undaunted Luv Sinha bravely faced formidable BJP leader Nitin Nabin, a three-time MLA and 20 other candidates in his Bankipur constituency . . BJP rival and winning candidate Nitin Nabin secured 83,068 votes, accounting for 59.05 per cent of the total votes while Congress candidate and Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv managed 44,032 votes, which is about 31.30 per cent of the total votes and the second highest. Which is considered “impressive for a young candidate making his political debut” by most political analysts. All the other 20 candidates in Bankipur constituency have reportedly managed less than 04 per cent or even less than 01 per cent.

Refuting charges from the rival parties that Luv Sinha was a “parachute candidate”, father Shatrughan Sinha has contended that his son Luv is a “Bihar-Putra and has developed this bonding with the local janata-janardhan since past few years. Luv would participate in my past election-rallies and closely interact with local folks and their families with a genuine concern for their welfare and progress.” Added Punam and Shatrughan Sinha, “Whatever the election results, debutant Luv will continue to strive and work for his people to the best of his capabilities backed by divine blessings.

With his kind-hearted leadership qualities, Luv will try and bring about a change for the betterment and uplift of lives and standard-of-living of both the youth and their seniors-elders.” Interestingly, Shatrughan Sinha also shared that his U.S.-based niece Preeta Sinha, (daughter of his elder brother Dr.Lakhan Sinha) has been very closely associated with the charismatic Kamala Harris-U.S. Vice President elect and was actively promoting & campaigning relentlessly for Kamala, during their recent elections. “They have apparently fondly nicknamed the popular political jodi of Joe Biden and Harris as ‘Bi-Haris’ ”, laughed Sinha.