World's shortest woman joins Raj Thackeray's party

Nagpur, May 9 (IANS) The world's shortest woman Jyoti Amge, standing at 62.8 cm, has joined Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and hopes to pursue a full-fledged career in public service, a party leader said here Wednesday.

"Yesterday, Jyoti came and expressed a desire to work for the MNS. We were delighted to make her our active member," MNS Nagpur president Rita Gupta told IANS.

Next week, the 18-year-old Class 10 pass out, will meet MNS chief Raj Thackeray in Mumbai and plan her future with the party, she said.

Jyoti is no stranger to politics as she had campaigned for MNS candidates during February's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Gupta said.

Invited by MNS legislator Ram Kadam from Ghatkopar in eastern Mumbai, the little Jyoti proved to be a big draw among the masses at various election rallies and roadshows.

Hopping onto the shoulders of one of her two seven-feet tall bodyguards ensured that despite her petite and fragile frame, Jyoti never missed any political action - nor did the crowds miss catching a glimpse of the grinning doll-like woman.

At that time, Jyoti had publicly appreciated the work by the MNS and said the party had the potential to bring in change.

Soon after she bagged the Guinness World Record for being the shortest woman in the world last year, Jyoti had set her eyes on an acting career in Bollywood along with her favourite actors Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Amitabh Bachchan.

Jyoti suffers from a rare bone degeneration disorder that results in dwarfism, but her three siblings are normal and healthy.