This time, stars shine for Independents too

In a close battle, you pull out the big guns. And candidates across the state — Independents too — are roping in the biggest celebrities they can find as campaigners.

Some of the big names on the cards include actor Salman Khan, music director Bappi Lahiri and model Sushma Reddy.
City Congress President Kripashankar Singh is vying for actor Salman Khan.

“I am planning to get Salman Khan on Thursday, for the entire day,” said the excited first-time candidate, who is contesting from Kalina against BJP candidate Dinanath Tiwari.

Krishna Hegde, the Congress candidate from Bandra West, has called upon a volley of film personalities over the last few days.

Writer-director Sanjay Chhel of Sanjay Dutt starrer Khoobsurat and director Piyush Jha campaigned on Tuesday.
“I have not called them because they are film personalities. My association with them goes as far back as 10 years and they volunteered to campaign,” said Hegde.

Hegde had earlier invited Bappi Lahiri to inaugurate his party office at Bandra.

He has also roped in TV presenter Siddarth Kak and Sarfarosh director John Matthew Mathan. Independent candidate Dolphy D’Souza, who is contesting from Malad, was given a helping hand by Sushma Reddy on Tuesday.
She was present during a rally in the morning.

“She is a personal friend and a social activist like me, who is dedicated to solving issues that concern the public,” said D’Souza, who is contesting against bigwigs like Aslam Shaikh of the Congress and Neela Desai of the MNS.

“I have no affiliations with any political party,” said Reddy. “The reason I went all the way to Malad from Bandra is because I feel that there are some hardworking Independent candidates who can make a difference to society and I would be happy if they win.”