Actor Ramya, who had rubbished reports of her entry into “active” politics is now set to contest for the coveted post of president of the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress (KPYC).
Having waited awhile to plunge into politics, she joined the Congress in April. On Monday, she filed her nomination papers for the booth-level election of the KPYC from booth number 3 in Shantinagar, coming under Bangalore Central Lok Sabha Constituency.
She is the frontrunner for the president's post for which the election will be held on October 8 and 9.
Speaking to The Hindu Ramya said she would be contesting for the president's post after getting elected at the booth-level. She intends to make use of the platform to serve the people and make a difference to society. “I would like to do all that I possibly can to bring forth issues and concerns of the people and bring about positive change,” she said.
Opponent
The quiet Youth Congress elections have gained a dash of colour and State-wide interest with Ramya's entry. Her opponent is Priyank Kharge, son of Union Labour Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge. However, Ramya's victory in the first round is a foregone conclusion, says a senior Congress leader.
Ramya hails from a political background but she joined the Congress impressed by party general secretary Rahul Gandhi's agenda to attract the youth in large numbers to lead the party and the nation. Expressing her desire to become the president of the KPYC, Ramya said her career in films would take care of her economic needs, but she needed to do something for society. “I am not selfish, I genuinely want to do something for the people,” she said.
“Why not politics?” she retorted when asked why she had joined politics. “If you really love your country, you have to take active role in setting wrongs right, and I don't want to abandon the future of the country like that.
She reiterated that she would not abandon her film career. “My real and reel image are different,” she said.
