Why Shatrughan Sinha Said 'Khaamosh' at BJP Chief's Home

New Delhi: It was a response many of his tense colleagues in the BJP would have wanted to make as they were accosted by journalists waiting outside party chief Rajnath Singh's residence. But only Shotgun Sinha had the panache to carry it off.

In his inimitable manner, the actor turned BJP member of Parliament drawled "Khaamosh (keep quiet)" when asked by reporters whether he had discussed a ministerial berth with the party chief, whose home he was stepping out of.

That is an iconic dialogue from Mr Sinha's Bollywood films and has been much parodied over the years. The 67-year-old star provided a lighter moment in a day of intense political activity that saw BJP leaders drive from one part of Delhi to another as the party's top leaders held consultations to finalise names for Narendra Modi's cabinet. (Cabinet Hopefuls Line Up at Modi's Doorstep)

Mr Sinha has been re-elected from his constituency Patna Sahib, where posters had appeared a few months ago declaring him "Wanted" as angry party workers alleged that he was never to be seen there. He campaigned with his wife Poonam, even as his daughter and leading Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha canvassed for him on social media.    

Mr Sinha was Health Minister in 2003-2004 in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Last June, when the BJP selected Mr Modi as its campaign-in-charge at a conference in Goa in June, Mr Sinha was among those who, along with chief dissenter LK Advani, skipped the event in protest.

He embarrassed his party even more when he said a month later that he saw PM potential in Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Chief Minister who had just called off a 17-year partnership with the BJP. A few days later he said his vote for PM went to Mr Avdani. (Nitish Kumar returns Shatrughan Sinha's 'potential Prime Minister' compliment)

"Please ignore him," a BJP spokesperson suggested. (Read more...)

Months later, however, Mr Sinha did a neat U-turn, speaking in praise and support of Mr Modi. Asked about it he was most unfazed. "I have not taken a U-turn regarding my opinion about the Gujarat Chief Minister but have taken the right turn at the right time," he actor had said. (Now appeased, Shotgun talks of "action hero" Narendra Modi)