Madam’s Permission

Govinda, the member of parliament from the North Mumbai constituency, explains to DNA why he has focussed on his acting career over his constituency:

Maine Soniyaji se do saal pehle anumati maangi thi (two years ago I had sought permission from Soniaji). I had told her that mujhe acting ke taraf dhyan dena padega kyunki I had some debts to repay. I told her I might not be able to concentrate as much on my constituency (North Mumbai) as I would like to. I had Madam’s permission…

What about his constituency’s permission? I hope the voters there duly show him who’s in charge in the next elections.

Also, why has DNA written Sonia’s name as Soniya in that Hindi sentence? Why the ‘y’?