Will use technology to reach out to people, says Uppi; welcome to BJP, says KSE

Bengaluru, Aug 8: BJP leader K S Eshwarappa has suggested to actor Upendra to join the saffron party instead of launching new political outfit ‘Prajakeeya’. “Let him join a party which would suit his ideology, instead of floating a new one. He is welcome to join the BJP if he desires, Eshwarappa told reporters.

On the other hand, Upendra told reporters that he is against organising public rallies in order to drum up support. “Everybody says a lot of money is required to start a political party and to sustain it. But I firmly believe money is not necessary...We can use technology. We are in the age where mobile phones work as newspapers,” he said.

In the absence of technology, people in the past had no choice but to organise rallies. And in the process, they used to spend a lot of money. “Unfortunately, these age-old methods are still in use...People are disillusioned with this and want a change. There is no point in blaming the system. I want to bring about change...Whether we win the election or not is not important,” Uppi, as he is popularly known, stated.

“Politicians normally whip up emotions by indulging in caste politics. People should not support anybody out of emotion. Politicians claim that they serve people. But nobody wants to be served. Are people crippled for them to be served by someone?” he asked and said the country needed labourers to work for its development. Upendra was wearing a khaki shirt to identify himself with labourers.

Prajakeeya will be registered as a political party soon and applications will be called from all 224 Assembly constituencies for contesting the next election. The party is open to all those who have an urge to bring about change in society, he said. The actor gave out three email addresses — [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] — inviting suggestions from the public.

Upendra’s social media accounts have been flooded with messages from his fans, most of them welcoming the actor’s move and some raising doubts. “His thoughts are clear, but will he deliver? Movie is all about dreams. Politics is all about games,” Twitter user Bharath Kanti wrote. Another user Keerthi Jagalur Mutt urged the actor not to become another Arvind Kejriwal.

A Ramanagaram-based organisation even offered to help Upendra mobilise on-ground public support. Political leaders across all political parties appreciated Upendra’s initiative.