Dharmendra’s Bikaner Political Journey: From ‘He-Man’ MP to Retirement

Dharmendra: The ‘He-Man’ MP Who Won Bikaner, Faced ‘Missing’ Posters, and Left Politics Forever

New Delhi:
Bollywood’s legendary ‘He-Man,’ Dharmendra, passed away at the age of 89 on November 24, 2025. While he won hearts across generations with his films, few know about his brief yet intriguing political journey in Rajasthan.

A Glimpse into Dharmendra’s Political Career

Dharmendra began his political journey in Bikaner, Rajasthan, serving as a Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2004, he contested elections from the Bikaner constituency and defeated Congress candidate Rameshwar Lal Dudi by a significant margin. Despite this initial success, Dharmendra chose to distance himself from politics soon after and never contested elections again.

The 2004 Victory in Bikaner

In 2004, Dharmendra entered politics on a BJP ticket and secured a decisive win against Rameshwar Lal Dudi, with a margin of 57,000 votes. His sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, actively campaigned for him, contributing to his landslide victory.

However, the win came with its challenges. Just a year after becoming an MP, ‘Missing’ posters of Dharmendra appeared across Bikaner. This unusual protest reflected his limited presence in the constituency, as the actor reportedly did not visit for an entire year.

Restoring Sursagar and Connecting with the People

Soon after, Dharmendra returned to Bikaner, staying at the Circuit House without security to hear local grievances. He played a pivotal role in restoring the city’s famous Sursagar Lake. Dharmendra liaised with then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and approached the central government to secure funding when the state budget fell short. Despite his efforts, credit for the restoration largely went to Raje, leaving some public resentment toward Dharmendra.

Exit from Politics

After completing his five-year term, Dharmendra chose not to contest the 2009 elections and permanently returned to Mumbai. His wife, Hema Malini, continues her political career as an MP from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and his son, Sunny Deol, also served as an MP from Gurdaspur, Punjab. Dharmendra had once stated that politics was not the right place for him, explaining his decision to step away.

Though his political career was brief, it remains a fascinating chapter in the life of one of Bollywood’s most beloved stars.