‘CM had even asked us to launch campaign’: Actors Shashi, Bhavana in shock after ticket denial

Bengaluru, Apr 17: Two prominent Sandalwood who had launched campaign in their respective constituencies hoping they would get tickets to contest May 12 Karnataka assembly polls, are now in deep shock as the party preferred other candidates over them.

Actors Shashikumar and Bhavana had started canvassing for votes last month in Molkalmuru (ST-reserved) and Chitradurga constituencies respectively. However, the Congress party fielded Dr Yogish Babu and Hanumali Shanmukhappa from those two constituency respectively.

The actors had even claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had instructed them to begin campaigning as they would get the tickets.

Bhavana, referring to her mother's roots in Chitradurga, said she was the right choice. The actor had even taken a house on rent in the city two months ago. She was even taking part in party programmes.

Shashikumar had begun campaigning on the strength of his work as the Congress MP from Chitradurga in the past.

The actor has expressed outrage over the denial of ticket. "The party took my help in the past elections and has now betrayed me. I will decide on my future course of action in the next couple of days," he said.

But Bhavana seemed reconciled to her fate. She said she would continue to work as a party activist in Chitradurga. She had learnt a lot from these elections, Bhavana added.