Actor-turned-politician and rebel BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday met Congress President Rahul Gandhi here and said he will join the Congress during the auspicious period of Navaratri that begins on April 6.
The development came after the actor, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was denied party ticket from Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar. He is currently the sitting Member of Parliament from the seat.
"Democracy within the BJP does not exist any longer. Dictatorship prevails instead. That's why I have decided to join the Congress Party during the auspicious period of Navaratri," Sinha, who described himself as a great admirer of Nehru-Gandhi family, told reporters here.
Sinha also said he would contest from the same seat. "In every situation, the location will be the same Patna".
Bihar Congress in-charge Shakti Singh Gohil said that Sinha would work as the 'star leader and star campaigner' of the party.
Sinha was elected twice, in 2009 and 2014, from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat.
Bihar will vote in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.