Veteran actress Himani Shivpuri joins BJP ahead of 2017 Assembly elections

Mumbai: Actress Himani Shivpuri, who hails from Uttarakhand, has joined BJP ahead of next year's assembly elections in the state.

Himani, who joined the party at its state office here in the presence of state BJP vice president Jyoti Prasad Gairola and organisational secretary Naresh Bansal last evening, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and leadership had drawn her to the party."I completely believe in the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it is because of this that I have joined the BJP," she told reporters.

Asked whether she will contest the coming elections in the state, she said she will take up any role assigned to her by the party leadership.

Welcoming her into the party, Bansal said her induction will strengthen BJP in the state.

Himani has done character roles in a number of Bollywood hits and TV soaps. She was born and brought up in Dehradun.