Actor-turned-activist Prakash Raj, who is contesting as an Independent from Bengaluru Central, on Thursday said he will not join any party if he wins.
Participating in an interaction jointly organised by the Press Club of Bengaluru and Bengaluru Reporters’ Guild here, he said: “If I win the election, I will work for people and if I lose, I will make the elected representative work.”
“Some people say I will not get more than three lakh votes. But, if I get three lakh votes it means people are looking for an alternative. Just because I’m an Independent, I’m not alone. I have the support of the Aam Aadmi Party, CPI and CPM. That apart, Tamil and Telugu organisations and even JD(S) workers are working with me. I’m in the fray as I have realised that people are looking for an alternative,” he said. “I had declared that I will contest from Bengaluru Central on January 1 itself. Since then, I have been visiting slums and various areas of the constituency. I had requested many political parties, including Congress, not to field candidate in the constituency. Personally, I’m against Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister again,” he said.
Taking a dig at the manifesto of both the Congress and BJP, Mr. Prakash Raj said they lacked vision and read like bundle of jokes. “Health and education are missing from their manifestos. Both parties talk only about national security. Both talk of giving ₹6,000 per month to people and loan waiver. Are they charitable organisations,” he asked.
Pointing out that the coalition government in the State is superficial, he said grassroot-level workers from both the parties are unhappy as their dignity is at stake now.