New Delhi: Dharmendra, often referred to as Bollywood’s ‘He-Man,’ passed away at the age of 89 on November 24. Renowned for his performances in Indian cinema, he originated from Punjab and maintained a notable connection to Rajasthan.
Dharmendra ventured into politics representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004, decisively defeating Congress candidate Rameshwar Lal Dudi. His victory was substantial, with a margin of 57,000 votes, aided by the campaigning efforts of his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
Despite his electoral success, Dharmendra’s political journey encountered challenges. His absence from Bikaner for approximately a year after his election spurred local discontent, leading to ‘Missing’ posters being put up across the city. In response to public grievances, Dharmendra visited Bikaner and listened to residents’ concerns without any security presence.
A significant initiative during his tenure was the restoration of Bikaner’s Sursagar. Dharmendra approached then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for funding, and when the budget constraints arose, he sought assistance from the central government. However, despite his efforts, Raje received the primary credit for the project’s completion, which contributed to lingering dissatisfaction among constituents regarding Dharmendra’s involvement.
Politics was not a suitable domain for Dharmendra, and he chose not to contest for re-election in 2009, returning to Mumbai permanently. His wife, Hema Malini, currently serves as an MP from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, while his son Sunny Deol has held an MP position from Gurdaspur in Punjab. After his initial term as an MP from Bikaner, Dharmendra opted to retire from politics, stating that it was not the right fit for him.
