Six months after quitting Karnataka Pragnyavantara Janata Paksha (KPJP), which he appropriated to launch his political career a year ago, actor Upendra on Tuesday officially launched his ‘own’ Uttama Prajaakeeya Party (UPP).
As the acronym of the new political party – UPP – is similar to his nickname ‘Uppi’ and sensing the possibility of it turning out to be more about Upendra himself, the actor in a cinematic fashion let the ‘I’ burn out to say the party belonged to everyone.
Though the launch was a low-profile affair, the occasion coincided with his birthday. The party’s manifesto is based on concept of ART (Accountability, Responsibility, Transparency) of governance.
Mr. Upendra has launched UPP when the polls to the Lok Sabha are just eight months away. There was speculation that UPP will field its candidates. However, he admitted, “The party’s macro manifesto is in place, but what we need is the micro manifesto. We have spent a lot of time in getting the party registered and launching it officially. We have not yet decided on whether to contest in Lok Sabha polls.”
As far as the concept, ideology and selection of candidates for the coming polls from the panchayat level to the Lok Sabha, Mr. Upendra largely stuck to the manifesto he drafted for KPJP. People-centric administration with complete transparency; fighting against the making of education, health and public services business propositions; and elected representatives working as servants of people, will be the salient features of UPP.
Mr. Upendra also said his party was not power hungry. Even if delayed, party candidates would enter electoral politics after understanding the principle of the party and its ideals.
