Combining politics with glamour

Actor, singer and member of parliament. North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari says he is wearing many hats but manages the pressure by striking a fine balance between his political responsibilities and professional commitments.

Bhojpuri film star Tiwari, 43, who till the last Lok Sabha elections had not imagined that he would enter Parliament, has been a busy and popular face of the BJP in wooing Poorvanchali people during the just concluded Chhath celebrations in the city.

“I maintain a link with my electorate by ensuring a meeting with them every Saturday,” says the superstar wActor, singer and member of parliament. North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari says he is wearing many hats but manages the pressure by striking a fine balance between his political responsibilities and professional commitments.hose spontaneous singing from public platforms has charmed people in Delhi and other states.

Wearing a “gamcha” – a cotton scarf on his fore-head – Tiwari was in the forefront of the Chhath festivities in the city during the week.

Ask him about the work he has been doing for his constituency and he reels off details of several projects.

“I am trying to get a central school built in the constituency. Hopefully, I would also be able to start evening classes in a Delhi University colleges that falls in my constituency,” he said.

The actor-cum-politician claimed he was also trying to build two sports complexes like the Yamuna Sports complex in his constituency.

He smiles on being described as the BJP’s Poorvanchali star campaigner. “Campaigning ahead of Maharashtra Assembly polls was indeed hectic,” he said.  “I am still learning to serve people,” he admitted candidly. “People have huge expectations – especially related to helping them get jobs,” he said.

In 2009, Tiwari, who has lived in Saket colony in south Delhi for a decade, contested elections for the 15th Lok Sabha as a candidate for the Samajwadi Party in the Gorakhpur constituency.

But his first big-time public appearance in Delhi came during yoga guru Ramdev’s hunger strike and Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign in 2011.

On being asked about his next plan for his constituency, he said, “I am busy identifying a village in my constituency which I will adopt for all round development.”

The BJP’s star campaigner now has his eyes set on the ensuing by-polls on three Delhi Assembly seats . “I will do my bit like all other leaders,” he said, who has no hesitation saying that singing is his passion.