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Family to decide Dutt's successor

By Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Mumbai
June 01, 2005 23:46 IST

Actor Sanjay Dutt on Wednesday said a member of his family will follow father Sunil Dutt's footsteps and enter politics.

Speaking to reporters at his first press conference after his father's death on May 25, Sanjay said, "I have personally not thought of contesting elections, but I know that his legacy has to be carried on."

He said it was too soon to decide who will take his place, and added that it will also depend on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and his family members.

"We will sit together with our family members and decide," Sanjay said.

Political analysts are of the opinion that Sunil Dutt's daughter Priya Dutt will be the likely successor since she was the one who was close to her father and was also involved in his day-to-day political affairs.

When specifically asked whether he was likely to be one of the contestants from Mumbai's northwest constituency, which his father represented, Sanjay said, "He has left a huge responsibility on my shoulders and I have to carry on his good work so that he and my country feel proud of me."

Asked to comment on his father's last days, Sanjay said, "He was content with life in his last days. He was happy to see his family members doing well."

On whether his father was bothered and disturbed by the fact that his arch rival Sanjay Nirupam, a former Shiv Sena member of Parliament and bete noir, was inducted in Congress party, Sanjay said, "Sanjay Nirupam is insignificant."

He paused and said, "My father was too great a man. It is not fair to compare him with someone like Sanjay Nirupam."

Sanjay was thankful to all the people who supported him after the demise of his father.

"The reason I have called this press conference is to thank all the people who have stood by me and my family. I know I am not the only one who is grieving. My family knows that the entire country is with us," added Sanjay.

Sanjay also said he will go back to shooting in 10 days and that he will also give more time to people's problem.

"I have decided to take time out of my busy schedule and help people, like my father did," he concluded.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Mumbai

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