Upendra
When he arrived in an autorickshaw for a press conference in Belagavi on Monday, actor Upendra, founder of the political party KPJP, won the hearts of the young crowd.
At 11 a.m., the charismatic actor came to Milan hotel, clad in a khaki shirt of auto drivers. He waived to fans and potential party workers, and entered the conference hall to speak to mediapersons. A crowd, mostly of young men, gathered outside, and waited patiently till the press meet ended.
But after that, the huge rush of followers caused a stampede in front of the hotel main gate. They pushed each other and some of them fell down. A group of police personnel had to sweat it out before the actor was safely taken to his Range Rover car waiting outside.
‘Neglected’
At the press conference, Mr. Upendra said that he was in this for the long haul and would not withdraw from public life after the coming Assembly or Lok Sabha polls. “I am in politics because I feel concerned about the people. I know that the common man’s problems had been neglected by all political parties. But I don’t want to be someone who keeps complaining. I want to do something to bring in change.’’
“I’m doing well. I have a house, a farmhouse, an interesting job in a remunerative industry and some bank balance. I could have sat at home quietly. But I want to do something meaningful. Hence the party,’’ he said. “People ask me what social service I am doing. I reply saying this is my form of social service. Why is participating in elections not considered a form of social service? KPJP is not an election-time party. We will not go away after polls, if we were to lose.”
Mr. Upendra said he was unhappy with all parties, but he would not say anything bad about any party. “I will not blame any leader or any party. I will only speak about my vision for the State and plans its people.” he said. His party would not confirm to any existing ideology. “Our only ideology would be equality and equal opportunity for everyone.”
He hoped people across the State would support the KPJP. “We don’t want to win a few seats and try to be king-makers. We want to rule by getting a majority. But even if we win a single seat, we will fight.”
To a question, he said KPJP would have no alliance with any party.
“S.R. Hiremath of Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya has been accusing me of building a farmhouse on the land of poor farmers in violation of rules. He forgets that the court has ruled in my favour in that case. He continues to speak about it even after the judgment. Does Mr. Hiremath think he is bigger than the courts?, Mr. Upendra asked.
