After trying her luck in Bhojpuri films,35-year-old Bollywood actress Nagma is working hard to enter into active politics in Uttar Pradesh and contest election. Claiming to have started working for AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi's so-called "mission 2012" in Uttar Pradesh by "attracting young crowd",her frequent visits to attend different programmes in Uttar Pradesh ranging from political functions,film festival as well as local discussions,have raised many eyebrows even within the party. She was also part of Rahul's meeting with the state party members on December 8. "I am an AICC member and a popular Bhojpuri actress as well. I was given the responsibility by the party to campaign during recent Lok Sabha elections in parts of UP and Bihar because of my acceptability in the Bhojpuri belt. It is true that of late I have started paying frequent visits to the state capital because I wish to motivate young crowd,especially women,towards Rahul's 2012 mission in the state," said the actress. She added,"I have a UP connection as well because my mother had done her graduation from Aligarh Muslim University,and being a Bhojpuri actress,I have been visiting this region. As such,I am aware of the problems faced by the people here as well." Asked if she had been told by the high command to visit the region or if she was eying any particular seat during the 2012 Assembly elections,Nagma said,"I would not speak on this issue but one thing is for sure that I cannot do anything without the permission of the party high command. Until they give permission,we cannot be here. Moreover,I am well known all across the country,so I can contest from any place where I am asked to." Before the last Lok Sabha elections,Nagma was learnt to have communicated her desire to contest election on a party ticket but could not get it. However,sources in the party say that seeing her future as a politician in Bhojpuri belt,she has started concentrating on the region. Apart from being part of the Pravasi Film Festival in the state capital,which was inaugurated by Mauritius President Anerood Jugnauth on December 1, the actress was part of the select group of Congressmen in the state who were given chance to interact with Rahul on December 8. In fact,since the past one month,she has been accepting invites even for personal programmes in order to ensure her presence in the state capital. "I have started considering invitations from people and groups from different walks of life,be it political,concerning youth or intellectuals. People in films are well-educated and I am also well versed in nine different languages," she said. Asked why she was not concentrating on eastern Bhojpuri belt and was rather travelling frequently to the state capital,Nagma clarified,"If I have to convey some message to different parts of the state then obviously the state capital is the best place. In my future tours,I will be thoroughly covering other parts of the state as well."
