Jamshedpur: Renowned Santali film personality Dasrath Hansdah has taken a plunge into electoral politics by contesting as an independent candidate in the ensuing five-phase Jharkhand Assembly polls beginning from November 25.
Dasrath, who is the first film personage from the Santali filmdom to fight an election in the state, is taking on the state Industry Minister Champai Soren and BJP's first-timer Ganesh Mahali in the Seraikela constituency.
Dasrath (43), who produced, directed and acted in over 12 films, said he was contesting the election to take up the cause of the youth. Director of the highly acclaimed Santali film 'Sita Nala Re Sagun Suparai' screened in the International Film Festival, Nepal, in 2008, Dasrath said "I had decided to contest the last Assemby poll but my younger brother Ramesh Hansdah, who happens to be the President of East Singhbhum district committee of JMM, prevented me."
"This time, however, Ramesh has no objection," said Dasrath, winner of several awards including the All India Santali Film Association (AISFA) award (twice) and Pt Raghunath Academy of Santali Cinema and Art (Raska award). "Though I have never contested an election, but I am not a novice in the political field as I have been attached with the JMM for long and even campaigned for former JMM MP Krishana Mardi," he said.
"I am contesting the poll as people of the constituency seeks a change and are supporting my candidature tremendously despite money-power being a factor in the poll," said Dasrath.
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