I am firmly committed to BJP: Shatrughan Sinha

Sinha was given charge of the party's cultural cell in a move seen as an attempt to win over the disgruntled groups within.

Within a week of getting charge of the BJP's cultural cell, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha sang a different tune, praising the party and its president in sharp contrast to his jarring notes earlier.

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Sinha, who had been feeling sidelined and had accused the then BJP leadership of fielding people with criminal background in the Bihar Assembly elections, appreciated party chief Rajnath Singh for his call to the national executive to rise above personal considerations.

"The party president also vowed not to give a ticket to anyone with a criminal background. What else did I ask for? Rajnath Singh's call was endorsed by LK Advani," he said.

Last week, Sinha was given charge of the party's cultural cell in a move seen as Singh's attempts to win over the disgruntled groups within the organisation.

Also, he praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for selection of his Cabinet team.

Sinha, however, refused to comment on the activities of former BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana -- with whom he had launched a Poorvanchal Front in Delhi last year.

But he offered a composed reaction to his appointment as convenor of the BJP's cultural cell, calling it an additional responsibility in the organisation.

"I am committed firmly to the BJP. I have always been with the BJP. This post is an additional responsibility, an important one, which I would try to do justice to," Sinha remarked.