Bigg Boss will harm my political career – Sanjay Nirupam

He’s a people’s man but the public has let him down. Politician Sanjay Nirupam failed to garner enough public votes and as a result he’s the first contestant to be eliminated from Bigg Boss 2. The Congressman created waves when he became the first politician to take part in Bigg Boss. However, a week later he’s making his way back home. Tellychakkar caught with the leader straight after his eviction from the Bigg Boss house. For a politician to be out of Bigg Boss house must be like being out of jail? (Laughs) To stay away from your normal life is indeed very difficult. I’m all relieved to be back into my world. As a politician did you count the number of votes you lost by? No, I haven’t and nor have I made an effort in knowing it. Why do you think the inmates and even the public didn’t vote for you? I stepped into the house on Saturday evening and barely 24 hours later we all had to file the nominations for eviction. This was too short a time for anyone to know each other. It’s a common perception that politicians aren’t nice people. I reckon my inmates too would have felt the same and thus they voted against me. Jade Goody voted against me for the simple reason that she’s couldn’t get any other names right. Can you talk on your most fond memories during your stay in Bigg Boss? There were many but I really enjoyed my time out with Ehsaan Qureshi. He’s a stand-up comedian and poet. I don’t think I’ve spent so much valuable time with a poet in my life. He had us in splits most of the time. Who were the inmates that made your stay uncomfortable? To be honest there were none. However, I didn’t like certain individuals who didn’t maintain the discipline in the house. I’m not going to name anyone. Rahul Mahajan allegedly was talking ill about you to Zulfi and Ashutosh. He was upset when you referred to him as a zero. Rahul’s late father Pramod Mahajan and I were political adversaries. However, that has no bearing on my equation with Rahul. As far as him bitching about me, well, it’s for the public to decide who’s wrong and who isn’t. You had a tiff with Sambhavana. She was really upset with the remarks you made against her. My close friends dissuaded me from coming to the show once they heard that there an item girl in it too. I’ve never met an item girl before. Thus I was keen to meet one. Ek sachi bharitya nari woh hai jisse kisi keemat par apni izzat pyari hai. Item girls are not known for this and this is what I wanted to know from her. Unfortunately, she thought that I was insulting her and so took offence to it. However, in her anguish I got my answer. An Indian lady will never compromise when it comes to self-respect. Later on ,she apologised to me and even wanted to drop at my feet. Why were you very sympathetic towards Monica Bedi? Monica has had a troubled past but that doesn’t mean we ridicule her for the rest of her life. I’ve always believed that an individual should be given another chance to redeem oneself. She’s confessed to all her wrong doings and expressed a desire to resurrect her career. Unfortunately, people aren’t helping her out of fear. I’ve promised to help her by getting a house. Mind you I’m not going to pay for it but at best I can be her guarantor. Can we say that Sanjay Nirupam has emerged as a celebrity politician? No, I completely disagree with that. I have never aspired to become a celebrity. I’m a public servant and I’ve always stuck by that. Of late, you’ve been keeping a low profile as a politician. Has Bigg Boss helped you to get back into spotlight? It’s true that when I was in Shiv Sena, I had an active role. That’s not the case with Congress where I don't have to perform my duty on a daily basis. That’s primarily what allowed me to bide time for Bigg Boss. However, in no way is this show going to boost my political career. On the contrary, it’s likely to do more harm. But hasn’t this show enabled the viewers to see the lighters side of a politician? Yes, everyone was mesmerised that even a politician can live like us. Often, people perceive us as powerful, corrupt and power hungry men. We may differ in our professions but it must be remembered that we all are members of one society. It’s unfair to label all politicians as corrupt. And if this were to be true there would be a total collapse of the system. Finally, your most unforgettable moment of the show? Most of the time we would have food leftover for the next day. But when I cooked dal, all my inmates liked it so much that they devoured all in the same night. Sambhavana was full of praise for my cooking. To be able to cook well after 20 years is indeed very satisfying.