Uppi 2: Upendra bids goodbye to KPJP, to float new party

In an unexpected plot twist, actor Upendra announced a new political party called 'Prajakeeya' on Tuesday, after formally breaking away from the Karnataka Prajnavanthara Janata Paksha (KPJP) that he was heading thus far.

Upendra resigned as KPJP president, following differences of opinion with other leaders in the fledgling party. It was last October that the actor joined the KPJP, which was founded in 2015 by one Mahesh Gowda.

"From this moment on, we are starting a new party on the principles of Prajakeeya," Upendra told reporters. The Kannada term 'Prajakeeya' that he coined translates to people-centric politics. "The party will be set up as soon as possible. I'm told it takes at least 45 days to complete formalities involved in starting a party. I'm consulting my lawyers on making it quick," he said.

Scores of Upendra's supporters have quit KPJP. "The candidates are ready. If our party gets a symbol, we will contest as many Assembly seats as possible. If not this election, we will look at polls in the future," Upendra said, ruling out fielding candidates as Independents in the upcoming Assembly polls.

The actor asserted that he had "absolute faith" in the Prajakeeya concept. "Transparency in governance, overhaul of the education system and quality healthcare will be our focus. For example, Indira Canteens came up in just four months. Why can't we use the same construction technology to build schools in a little time," he asked.

KPJP founder Gowda had accused Upendra of taking unilateral decisions. The actor, however, rubbished the charges and said Gowda and others were going against Prajakeeya principles.