LUCKNOW: When an unapologetic Congressman
Shatrughna
Sinha stepped out to campaign for his Samajwadi wife
Poonam Sinha
in Lucknow on Thursday, the grand old party was not amused. The Congress candidate from Lucknow, Acharya Promod Krishnam, made no bones about his displeasure and took on the actor-turned-politician head-on, asking him to fulfil his political obligations the way he performed his duty as a husband.
But for Shatrughan it was not only about "patni dharma", he heaped praises on SP founder
Mulayam Singh Yadav and went on to hail Akhilesh and
Mayawati as future of national politics in India. Addressing people during the roadshow, he openly acknowledged the fact he drew inspiration from Mulayam and Mayawati and went on to describe Akhilesh as a youth icon. Aware that such statements had the potential of triggering a controversy, Shotgun said he was campaigning in Lucknow as it was about his family. "I owe it to my wife," he said. However, Shatrughan said his party was aware of his campaign programme.
" Unhone yaha patni dharam nibahaya hai ... ab main unse nivedan karna chahunga ki ab woh apna party dharam bhi nibhayen (He has fulfilled his duty as a husband. Now, I would request him to take up his duty as a Congress worker)," Krishnam said. However, most senior UPCC leaders, felt Shatrughan's decision had the blessings of the party brass and remained tight-lipped.