New Delhi: In a statement that could cause embarrassment to his party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Bikaner Lok Sabha seat and film star Dharmendra, embroiled in a controversy over his marital status, today (Apr 17, 2004) said he wants to be a "dictator for five years to clean all the rubbish", maintaining that nobody had a right to tarnish other's image.

"I pray to God that I become dictator for five years... I will clean all the rubbish," an agitated Dharmendra said from Jharkhand, attacking the Opposition for making his marital status a poll issue.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

Dharmendra had filed his papers on Thursday (Apr 15, 2004), but had left the column relating to the name of his wife blank. The film star had first married Parkash Kaur and then actress Hema Malini.

He said democracy did not permit anyone to tarnish someone else's image or abuse them. Let them come and call me names on my face, I will see them..." he thundered.

Dharmendra said he was feeling uneasy about joining politics and may have missed some things when reading the nomination form.

"I saw columns for my name, my wife's name, property.

"Maine socha ki Hindu Marriage Act hai to maine Parkash ka nam bhara hai (I thought I had filled Parkash's name as per the Hindu Marriage Act). I could fill only one name," he said.

The film star said some Opposition leaders were behind this controversy. "I didn't know they would indulge in mud slinging."

Some Congress activists in Indore had yesterday filed a petition in a court and appealed to the Election Commission for disqualification of Dharmendra's candidature, alleging he had not disclosed his "real" marital status as he had converted to Islam to marry Hema Malini.

The Bollywood star rejected the allegation that he converted to Islam. "Main itna ghatia aadmi nahin hoon ki apne swarth ki khatir apna mazhab badal loon (I am not such a cheap person that I will change my religion for selfish reasons).

The Rajasthan Congress said yesterday it would make Dharmendra's marital status a poll issue, as he has not mentioned his wife's name in the affidavit filed along with his nomination papers.