Bollywood veteran Govinda joined the Shiv Sena on Thursday, staging a political comeback after 15 years. But his new party boss CM Eknath Shinde said the former Congress MP from Mumbai North was unwilling to contest the Lok Sabha elections. The actor said he would work in the field of art and culture, with specific emphasis on the upgradation of state-controlled Film City to meet international standards.

Govinda’s unwillingness to take an electoral plunge came as a dampener to his induction ceremony at Balasaheb Bhavan opposite Mantralaya, because his name has been in circulation for candidacy against the rival Sena’s Amol Kirtikar in Mumbai North West. This particular segment has sensitised the city’s politics because the Congress has accused the Thackeray Sena of usurping their legitimate claim.