Aide of Cabinet minister threatened me: Dutt

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has confirmed that he was being threatened by a Union Minister's aide of 'dire consequences' if he joined Samajwadi Party even as Congress dismissed the allegations as completely 'baseless'.

'Yes I can confirm that I was threatened by a senior aide of a Cabinet Minister and warned of dire consequences,' he told CNN-IBN in a joint interview with SP general secretary Amar Singh.

Dutt, who was barred by Supreme Court from contesting the LS polls, however, refused to reveal the name of the person.

'I will reveal everything at the appropriate time. No one can stop me from being with Samajwadi Party,' he asserted.

Meanwhile, Congress on Wednesday dismissed Dutt's allegations, terming it as completely 'baseless'.

In the joint interview, Singh said the 'counsel of a very senior minister had also threatened Sanjay Dutt from joining SP'.

'Sanjay was told clearly that should he take such a step, even his bail could be cancelled,' Singh said, adding that 'there are certain managers of Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister who were against Sanjay joining SP'.

Dutt confirmed Singh's charges. He contended, 'I am not saying that there is a conspiracy against me, but there are people who are scared of me contesting from Lucknow.'

Singh contended that if Navjot Singh Siddhu, who was convicted in a murder case, was allowed to contest elections then 'why not Sanjay?'

'If Sanjay is denied then Siddhu should also be banned.'

Putting up a brave face, Dutt said he has no regrets about the Supreme Court's ruling. 'If I cannot serve as a politician, I will serve as a citizen. I have no regrets. It has just started with me. I will be with SP till I die'.

He said even though he will not be able to contest, he will campaign for SP throughout the country. 'I am going to Lucknow on Wednesday and will stay there till the end,' he said.

Denying any differences between him and his family over his joining politics, Dutt said, 'there is no break-up in the family'.

On speculations whether his wife Manyata could contest from Lucknow, Dutt said, 'I have left all these decisions to the SP leaders. Whatever they decide, we will accept.'