The fledgling Karnataka Pragnyavantara Janata Paksha (KPJP), led by actor and politician Upendra, is already facing dissidence over party ticket.
Differences have cropped up between the actor and Mahesh Gowda, party’s general secretary, over choice of candidates.
While the dissident group headed by Mr. Gowda has convened an executive committee meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Upendra decided to consult the core committee and explain the developments on Tuesday.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Upendra said while the party’s core committee was releasing manifestos on various issues and finalising candidates, Mr. Gowda had promised seats to several candidates, which led to the confusion.
“Though I have explained to him about the method of selection of candidates, based on the principles on which the party was founded, he was in no mood to understand and demanded ticket to candidates of his choice,” he alleged.
However, Mr. Gowda claimed that Mr. Upendra wanted to be the “lone authority” for selection of candidates. “Though Mr. Upendra earlier promised to take all those who helped form the party along with him, he neglected everyone in the process of candidate selection. The executive committee will meet on Wednesday and take a final call on how to move forward,” he said.
Expressing regret over the development, film-maker Roopa Iyer, an aspiring candidate of KPJP, said she wanted to join politics only to realise the “prajakeeya” (people’s politics) dream of Mr. Upendra.
