With the Lok Sabha campaign gaining momentum in Mumbai, the Congress faces an uphill task of reviving itself in five constituencies in India's financial capital where it had drawn a blank in 2014.

What has made its job difficult is the BJP sealing a pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena despite the strained relations between the two saffron allies.

Of the six seats in Mumbai, the Congress is contesting five and its ally NCP is contesting one. From one of them - Mumbai North - the party has fielded actor Urmila Matondkar against sitting BJP MP Gopal Shetty. Shetty had defeated Congress's Sanjay Nirupam by a massive 4.46 lakh votes in 2014.

In the past, the Congress had fielded Bollywood actor Govinda from Mumbai North, which he won. According to sources in the Congress, the party was looking for a known face to take on Shetty, perceived as being a strong candidate and the search ended with Urmila Matondkar.

Matondkar has launched an impressive campaign, reaching out to voters as well as party workers. She is also being seen as articulate.

The BJP, meanwhile, is highlighting her marriage with a Kashmiri businessman and is demanding to know her views on Article 370 and 35-A, two laws specific to the restive northern state.

BJP leader Ram Naik, currently the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, had represented the Mumbai North constituency between 1989 and 1999.

Naik's winning streak came to an end in 2004, when actor Govinda defeated him.

Govinda didn't fight the 2009 election, which was successfully contested by Nirupam.

Mumbai has six Lok Sabha seats and all of them will go to polls on April 29.

With the Lok Sabha campaign gaining momentum in Mumbai, the Congress faces an uphill task of reviving itself in five constituencies in India's financial capital where it had drawn a blank in 2014.

With the Lok Sabha campaign gaining momentum in Mumbai, the Congress faces an uphill task of reviving itself in five constituencies in India's financial capital where it had drawn a blank in 2014. What has made its job difficult is the BJP sealing a pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena despite the strained relations between the two saffron allies. Of the six seats in Mumbai, the Congress is contesting five and its ally NCP is contesting one. From one of them - Mumbai North - the party has fielded actor Urmila Matondkar against sitting BJP MP Gopal Shetty. Shetty had defeated Congress's Sanjay Nirupam by a massive 4.46 lakh votes in 2014. In the past, the Congress had fielded Bollywood actor Govinda from Mumbai North, which he won. According to sources in the Congress, the party was looking for a known face to take on Shetty, perceived as being a strong candidate and the search ended with Urmila Matondkar. Matondkar has launched an impressive campaign, reaching out to voters as well as party workers. She is also being seen as articulate. The BJP, meanwhile, is highlighting her marriage with a Kashmiri businessman and is demanding to know her views on Article 370 and 35-A, two laws specific to the restive northern state. BJP leader Ram Naik, currently the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, had represented the Mumbai North constituency between 1989 and 1999. Naik's winning streak came to an end in 2004, when actor Govinda defeated him. Govinda didn't fight the 2009 election, which was successfully contested by Nirupam. Mumbai has six Lok Sabha seats and all of them will go to polls on April 29.

Mumbai North: Urmila Matondkar makes electoral debut against giant Gopal Shetty

Actor Urmila Matondkar, who recently took a political plunge and joined the Congress party, said that coming in public light is the most challenging part of her new assignment.

"Having been almost a reclusive star to coming in such a huge focus, that's going to be a bit of a challenge, but I think that goes with the territory," Urmila told WION on Thursday.

Today, the party announced that the actor will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North constituency.

Urmila joined the Congress on Wednesday after meeting party chief Rahul Gandhi at his residence. Gandhi welcomed her in the party fold and wished her the best.

Talking about why she chose Congress, Urmila told WION, "There is so much going on that the people seem to have been lost in the translation. I think that's the time when you need to step out and tell them what this country stands for, where we were headed and where we have reached."

I found my ideology closest to the Congress party and therefore I've entered Congress, she said.

When asked about why Congress always finds faults in Centre's policies, Urmila said, "I don't think every party is going to do everything right. There are going to be challenges and constant struggle... we are a huge country with huge variations in thoughts and culture... it is going to be challenging all the time. But what I think is as important is the atmosphere of the country. What the country is standing for, what it is feeling. Are we feeling safe? No, we are not. Why there are constant question about what I can say, eat, my life, everything. That is not fine."

She had earlier said that the Congress party has participated in the freedom struggle and it stood for freedom.

Actor Urmila Matondkar, who recently took a political plunge and joined the Congress party, said that coming in public light is the most challenging part of her new assignment.

Actor Urmila Matondkar, who recently took a political plunge and joined the Congress party, said that coming in public light is the most challenging part of her new assignment. "Having been almost a reclusive star to coming in such a huge focus, that's going to be a bit of a challenge, but I think that goes with the territory," Urmila told WION on Thursday. Today, the party announced that the actor will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North constituency. Urmila joined the Congress on Wednesday after meeting party chief Rahul Gandhi at his residence. Gandhi welcomed her in the party fold and wished her the best. Talking about why she chose Congress, Urmila told WION, "There is so much going on that the people seem to have been lost in the translation. I think that's the time when you need to step out and tell them what this country stands for, where we were headed and where we have reached." I found my ideology closest to the Congress party and therefore I've entered Congress, she said. When asked about why Congress always finds faults in Centre's policies, Urmila said, "I don't think every party is going to do everything right. There are going to be challenges and constant struggle... we are a huge country with huge variations in thoughts and culture... it is going to be challenging all the time. But what I think is as important is the atmosphere of the country. What the country is standing for, what it is feeling. Are we feeling safe? No, we are not. Why there are constant question about what I can say, eat, my life, everything. That is not fine." She had earlier said that the Congress party has participated in the freedom struggle and it stood for freedom.

Coming in such a huge focus challenging: Urmila Matondkar to WION as Congress fields her from Mumbai North

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Mumbai North: Urmila Matondkar makes electoral debut against giant Gopal Shetty

Coming in such a huge focus challenging: Urmila Matondkar to WION as Congress fields her from Mumbai North