Arun Govil, famous for his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram in the TV serial Ramayan, takes a commanding lead in the Meerut Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh. Early results reveal that his main contender is Sunita Verma, the Dalit candidate from the Samajwadi Party.
Arun Govil, aged 72, contested the elections on a platform promising to establish an airport in Meerut, build a sports stadium, and enhance the city’s connectivity with the completion of the inner ring road.
His candidacy under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was announced on March 24, replacing three-time MP Rajendra Agarwal. Govil, marking his political debut, joined the BJP on March 18, 2021, after a distinguished acting career that started with movies like Paheli (1977) and Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979).
However, it was his portrayal of Lord Rama in the 1986 TV series Ramayan that catapulted him to national fame. Govil’s popularity soared, making him a household name across India.
Notably, in 1988, he campaigned for the Congress party in Allahabad, dressed as Ram, but the party didn’t secure victory. Meerut, part of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections held on April 26, witnessed a voter turnout of 58.70%.
As the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unfold, Arun Govil’s lead signifies a potential transition from the screen to the political arena, reflecting the dynamic nature of Indian politics.
