New Delhi, November 17
In an attempt to embarrass the BJP leadership, film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha today praised Congress President Sonia Gandhi as “a woman of substance” and a “one-man army of the Congress”.

A senior BJP leader and one time aspirant for the chief ministerial post in Bihar, Mr Sinha said Mrs Gandhi was not just one woman, but a “one-man army” of the Congress.

“If I praise madam Gandhi, it is because she is a lady.... A lady of substance,” the film star who kept away from the party’s campaign in Bihar following the naming of JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar as chief ministerial candidate, said in an interview to NDTV.

He, however, denied that he had any plans to join the Congress, saying he continued to be in the BJP. “Unless one door is closed, one cannot talk about another door,” he said in reply to a question, raising speculation about his future plans.

The Rajya Sabha MP said that he was praising Mrs Gandhi as she was always open to any political discussion.

Mr Sinha said Ms Gandhi had a tremendous background, having an association with Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi. “She is a great fighter, a great survivor,” he said. — UNI