Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt is set to re-enter politics nearly ten years after his maiden political venture as a Samajwadi Party candidate. He was a failed to take off from Uttar Pradesh, according to a minister from Maharashtra. Dutt, 60, is set to join Rashtriya Samaj Paksh (RSP) on September 25, party founder and Cabinet minister Mahadev Jankar disclosed on Sunday. RSP is a junior ally of ruling BJP in Maharashtra. Jankar said RSP was tapping film industry to expand his party which mainly represents 'Dhangar' or shepherd community. "...We have started working in film sector as well to expand our party. As part of which, actor Sanjay Dutt is also joining Rashtriya Samaj Paksh on September 25," Jankar, who holds Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development portfolios, anunced while addressing a party event. He also played a pre-recorded video of actor in which latter has greeted RSP and addressed Jankar as his "bror".

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RSP has been part of BJP-led NDA since 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Out of six candidates, RSP candidate Rahul Kul had won from Daund seat. Jankar unsuccessfully contested against NCP chief Sharad Pawar from Madha Lok Sabha constituency in 2009. Meanwhile, Jankar has demanded more seats compared to 2014 for his party to contest upcoming assembly elections.

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Commenting on reservation for Dhangar community, Jankar said, "Of total work (on reservation), 60 per cent work has been done so far. 'Dhangar' (shepherd) community is getting many benefits compared to what it used to get earlier". Dhangar community has been demanding reservation under Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. y are currently classified under VJNT (Vimukta Jati madic Tribes) grouping.

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Sanjay Dutt and Maharashtra assembly elections 

Dutt was a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate for Luckw Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 but withdrew after court refused to suspend his conviction under Arms Act. He was later appointed as general secretary of SP but resigned and subsequently quit party. Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, rumours were doing rounds about Dutt might contest. He had n denied reports. Dutt's far late Sunil Dutt had represented Mumbai rth West constituency as a Congress leader for five terms. He had also served as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in UPA-I government during 2004-May 2005 before his death. Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya Dutt is a former MP of Congress from Mumbai. 

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