Actor Sunny Deol joins Bharatiya Janata Party, says following father's footsteps

New Delhi : Bollywood actor Sunny Deol on Tuesday officially joined the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party, days after he met the party president Amit Shah. As per speculations, he will be contesting from the Gurdaspur seat in Punjab.

"Like my father joined Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I have decided to go with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I want PM Modi for the next five years," said the actor in a short speech.

Welcoming him in the party, Nirmala Sitharaman referred to his blockbuster 1997 movie "Border" based on an episode from the India- Pakistan of 1971. "Sunny Deol made the film Border which showed how the feeling of nationalism and patriotism when portrayed beautifully on film can touch a cord with the people," Ms Sitharaman said.

"It cannot be acting when it comes from the heart," added Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Though the actor has now officially joined the BJP, but earlier after meeting with Amit Shah, he was seen avoiding any commitment over the news of stepping into the politics.

"I heard about the rumours that I am joining politics. I just met him (Amit Shah) and we took a photograph, that's it," he had said.

The BJP, which has an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, is fighting three of the 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab: Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab will vote in a single phase, on May 19, the last day of the seven-phased national election. The results of the staggered polls will be announced on May 23.