Sanjay Dutt lauds Mamata's development efforts

Kolkata: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt sought blessings from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a visit to the state secretariat Nabanna in neighbouring Howrah district on Monday.

He also lauded the development initiatives taken by Banerjee in the state.

"After what happened to me in the 1993 incident, Didi (elder sister - as Banerjee is affectionately called) was the only one who supported me. After that I always wanted to come to Kolkata and thank Didi. Because no one had supported me back then. Only Shatrughan Sinha and Didi were by my side," Sanjay told reporters here.

Sanjay was handed a five-year sentence by the Supreme Court for illegal weapons possession in a case linked to the 1993 serial blasts that killed 257 people in Mumbai.

"I came to thank her. I said thank you, took her blessings. I told whenever she needs me I will be around. She has invited me for the (Kolkata International) Film Festival on November 11 and I will definitely come," added the actor.

"I heard she is working on reformation of jails. This is good."

Sanjay lavished praised on the chief minister for what she has done to transform the city since his last visit.

"Last time I visited was during (the filming of) 'Parineeta'. This time, while coming from the airport, I was pleasantly surprised by what Didi has done in such a little time."

Banerjee exchanged pleasantries and introduced the "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" actor to her cabinet ministers.

The Trinamool Congress supremo had good relations with Sanjay's star father, the late Sunil Dutt and had rallied behind Sanjay who was sentenced to five years in jail in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.