'Vote for accountability, clean administration'

Corruption will come down only if people who draw their salaries from public money are held accountable and tangible to the citizens, said Karnataka Prajnavanta Janata Paksha (KPJP) founder Upendra.

Speaking during a press conference at Patrika Bhavan in the city on Tuesday, the Kannada actor said that bureaucrats should realise that they thrive on people's money. The officers should not be confined to office rooms, but to the doorsteps of people. Upendra also said that it is high time the people realise their responsibilities in a democratic system and act accordingly.

He felt that education and medical facilities should be made accessible to people free of cost. "Most of the problems will be solved when these needs are met. If one wants this nation to develop, one has to take initiative to lead a movement for development rather than to sit and watch as spectators for the elected representatives to do the job and be disillusioned. People have the greatest responsibility in a democracy. Unless they realise it and act accordingly, nothing is going to change," said the KPJP founder.

Speaking on his purpose of entering into politics, Upendra said, "Even I have spoken on the flaws of the system many times in movies as an actor and director. But, I wanted to do something practical."

The actor-director ridiculed the conventional methods of being a part of a political party and winning elections on money and muscle power. "The party should only be a platform to contest elections. But today, party politics has become a parallel administration now," he opined.

Upendra further said he has never followed any 'set' method of canvassing for his party. "Anyone can come to the Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Paksha, provided he or she has a sense of development, with a micro-level study of the existing problems in his or her region. I have received many mails from people, on various development models proposed by them," he informed.

The candidature of the members from KPJP, including him, will be finalised by January, he said and added that there will be a manifesto on both the constituency and state levels.

Stating that the Constitution of India is a role model for him, Upendra clarified he has not accepted funds for his party in any form. Neither has he paid to people to be his supporters. He also said that he hasn't thought in the direction of lending support to any party, post elections.