Govinda used underworld to defeat him in LS polls, says Naik

Mumbai: Making fresh allegations against actor-turned-politician Govinda, former Union minister and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has said the actor used underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to defeat him in Virar constituency in 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

Naik has levelled this charge in his recently released memoir in Marathi Chaireveti, Chaireveti, which in English means ‘keep moving’. The book chronicles his political career and life.

He says in his book that despite being a Member of Parliament (MP) thrice, it was hard for him to accept his defeat with a small margin of over 11,000 votes.

"I did not need anyone's support at that time,” said Govinda denying all charges against him.

Highlights:

• Naik has also alleged that Govinda was a friend of Dawood and builder Hiten Thakur.
• The governor also alleged that film actor had terrorized the voters.