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      | Mumbai, March 6: Actor-producer Suniel Shetty says he is   not joining Raj Thackeray's party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and is just   supporting his proposal to form an association for the welfare of cine   artistes. "I'm happy being an actor. I can't talk about my colleagues.   But politics isn't my cup of tea. I think the best example of secularism is our   film industry and I'm proud of it. To me Amitabh Bachchan is god. At the same   time, Raj Thackeray is a very good friend of mine with a rational mind. But I   don't subscribe to his politics," Suniel told IANS. 
 
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         |  Suniel is the chairperson of the Cine Artistes Welfare Trust and says he   welcomes the idea of such an organisation.
 "I'm not a political person in   the least," said Suniel. "All I was asked was about this association that Raj   Thackeray's party is supposedly forming to support cine artistes. I'd support   any effort to improve the lot of our film industry. I'm the chairperson of the   Cine Artistes Welfare Trust. We all work towards the welfare of the industry. I   welcome any association or organisation helping the industry."
 
 In   February, Thackeray had targeted north Indians and made inflammatory statements   against them and it led to violence in the state. The city police imposed a ban   on him holding public rallies or press conferences.
 
 Commenting on   Thackeray's stance against North Indians, Suniel said: "As far as segregating   people region wise in Mumbai goes, who am I to do that? I'm an outsider in   Mumbai. I've people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar working right from the top to   the bottom of my organisation.
 
 "My driver for the past 45 years is from   Uttar Pradesh, so is my cook. I'm nobody to talk about who belongs or doesn't   belong to Mumbai. I'm a rational man. But I repeat I'd be willing to support any   party or individual that supports the industry."
  (IANS) |    
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