The Congress party Monday announced the candidature of television star Shekhar Suman against Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Patna Sahib constituency in Bihar.

"He (Shekhar Suman) will be contesting from Patna Sahib. His joining the Congress will strengthen the party in the state, " Bihar Congress Committee chief Anil Sharma said while announcing Suman's candidature at the party office here.

Talking to the media here, Suman said: "My personal relations (with Shatrughan Sinha) will not be affected. It is not a personal fight. It is a fight between ideologies. I believe in the ideology of the Congress."

In reply to a query about film stars joining politics and failing to turn up in their constituencies later, Suman said: "I won't run away as my home is there only."