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Nine-year-old Pinki Sonakar, who was the protagonist of Oscar winning documentary Smile Pinki, has been roped in as the election mascot of the National Dalit Front. The recently floated political coalition includes the Indian Justice Party (IJP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) the Gondwana Party and the Republican Party. Pinki Sonakar will campaign for the coalition in the 15th Lok Sabha election commencing on April 16.
Talking to media, president of Indian Justice Party, Udit Raj said the current popularity of Pinki Sonakar will largely benefit the party in the election. He also added that by campaigning for the party, Pinki Sonakar will also be able to promote herself. Directed by American filmmaker Megan Mylan, Smile Pinki won the Best Documentary Short Subject award at Oscars. The documentary deals with the tale of Pinki who becomes a social outcast because of a cleft lip.
Earlier in the week, the Congress party acquired the exclusive rights of Slumdog Millionaire's number 'Jai Ho' for its election campaign. The party has secured the rights of both the lyrics and tune of the hit number to use it during the Lok Sabha election campaign. The song became instantly popular when music director A R Rahman and lyricist Gulzar won the Oscar Award. The film Slumdog Millionaire bagged as many as eight Academy Awards.
