Actor Urmila Matondkar set to join Shiv Sena year after quitting Congress

Urmila Matondkar distanced herself from the Congress citing “petty in-house politics”. [Express file photo]

After quitting the Congress citing “petty politics” last September, Matondkar recently took on fellow actor Kangana Ranaut, who equated Mumbai to “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir” and targeted the chief minister.

During the Lok Sabha polls, while she lost the election by a huge margin to sitting MP Gopal Shetty, Matondkar grabbed eyeballs with her campaign and understanding of politics. Contesting on a seat that was a BJP stronghold, Matondkar won over many in strong Marathi belts in the constituency.

Explained: Why the Shiv Sena picked Urmila Matondkar for a MLC seat

In September 2019, just before the state Assembly polls, Matondkar distanced herself from the Congress citing “petty in-house politics” and said it defeated the “bigger goal” for the party’s city unit.

Before the state cabinet recommended nominations for the legislative council seats from the Govenor’s quota, senior Congress minister Vijay Wadettiwar had said the party, too, had approached the actor for the nomination.