Upendra launches Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Party

Kannada actor and film maker Upendra on Tuesday launched his new regional party - Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Party (KPJP) -- that pledges to usher in “complete change” in society.

Donning a khaki uniform, Upendra said any individual who has a dream to transform Karnataka to ensure a better life for the people of the state can join the party. The actor-turned-politician said his party will provide “people centric” administration if voted to power.

He said that party will contest from all the 224 constituencies in next year’s Assembly polls but ruled out having a pre-poll or post-poll alliance with any other party. Upendra said that ever since he first floated the idea of launching a new party, he had received 50,000 e-mails with suggestions and well wishes.

“Even now 1,000 candidates are ready to contest. Those who have the commitment to serve the people of the state will be selected,” Upendra said adding that he too will contest.

Known for his “innovative thinking” while directing films, Upendra donned his ‘theatrical hat’ at the launch event. He made the mediapersons sit on the dais and the actual launch of the party happened in the quadrangle of the auditorium. Appropriately, Gandhi Bhavan has been chosen as the venue to launch the

“people’s party”.

“You (media) always sit in the audience to report events. But, today you are our chief guests....It is the fourth estate which acts as watchdog of the society,” he said and asked a few journalists to participate in the inaugural lighting of the lamp. Artiste Vilas Nayak in a jugalbandi, to the tune of music, drew a painting which depicted the common man whose shadow portrayed the silhouette of the Vidhana Soudha. “Power should be in the shadow of the people and not the other way around,” he said.

Upendra’s wife Priyanka and his supporters had also donned kakhi at the event to send the message that motto of the party is to serve the people.

Replying to a query on how his party will service the rugged world of caste, money driven politics, Upendra said, “I have already won as hope has dominated over doubt. I do not want to die with regrets of not doing things that I aspired to do. I am not worried about winning or losing the elections,” Upendra said.

“I do not want to be a MGR or a NTR but remain as Upendra in politics” he said. Upendra said his party will soon come out with a detailed plan along with “a micro-management” strategy in the sectors of education, health among others for the state.