It’s a star-spangled poll landscape

Kolkata: Actress turned politician Hema Malini interacts with media during an announcement by Saregama for recreation of her Bengali songs recorded 41 years ago, in Kolkata on Thursday. PTI Photo by Swapan Mahapatra (PTI1_22_2015_000152A)

With hardly 20 days left for the Assembly polls, every political party is roping in stars to jazz up their campaigning and woo voters.

The JD(S), which lacked certain ‘star power’ has suddenly notched up its glamour quotient with actor-producer Pooja Gandhi rejoining the party on Saturday. While actor Shashikumar joined the party and is contesting from Hosadurga constituency, and Rachita Ram campaigning, there is Amulya ( Cheluvina Chittara fame) expressing her desire to campaign for the party. Among male actors, Telugu star-turned politician Pawan Kalyan is said to be campaigning for the JD(S) and the party is banking on his influence on the Telugu-speaking population in the State.

Sources in the Congress claim that besides actor Ramya, Malashree, Jaimala, Bhavya, Bhavana, Abhinaya, Ambareesh, Sadhu Kokila, and Mukhyamantri Chandru will campaign for the party. Stars from other parts of the country, including Raj Babbar, Khushboo, Nagma, Chiranjeevi, former cricketers Mohammad Azharuddin and Navjot Singh Sidhu are also campaigning for Congress candidates.

The BJP is not far behind with its star entourage. It has drawn up Sandalwood stars such as Jaggesh, Tara, Shruthi and Malavika Avinash to woo the electorate. Sources said yesteryear ‘Dream Girl’ Hema Malini is expected to participate in a few rallies in Karnataka.

As for actors Darshan and Sudeep, though they won’t campaign for parties, they may seek support for certain candidates regardless of party affiliation.

Ms. Pooja Gandhi, who joined the JD(S) in January 2012, quit the party to join Karnataka Janata Party (BJP), headed by B.S. Yeddyurappa. Interestingly, she quit the KJP and joined BSR-Congress and contested from Raichur constituency. After losing in the polls, she stayed away from politics.

Ms. Rachita Ram, in a video, appealed to people to support Mr. Kumaraswamy. With her father-in-law G.H. Ramachandra joining the JD(S) after the BJP denied him ticket from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, in Bengaluru, actor Amulaya has offered to campaign not only in RR Nagar, but also in other parts of the State for the JD(S).

One actor who will be missing from the poll scene this year will be Upendra, who failed to register his newly formed party, Uttama Prajakeeya Paksha, in time.