Actor and activist Prakash Raj, on New Year’s Day, announced his decision to enter electoral politics by declaring that he will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as an Independent and said he will announce his constituency subsequently.
Taking to Twitter just after midnight, he wrote: “HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE... a new beginning... more responsibility... with UR support I will be contesting in the coming parliament elections as an INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE. Details of the constituency soon. Ab ki Baar Janatha ki SARKAR #citizensvoice #justasking in parliament too”
It is being speculated that he might choose Telangana rather than Karnataka.
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While questions are being asked if he will be part of the ‘mahagatbandhan’ and contest from Karnataka, the speculation is that he might not.
The actor in the past had supported the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) of K. Chandrashekar Rao, who is busy in putting together, what he calls, a “People’s Front”, which is anti-BJP and anti-Congress.
Recently, Mr. Rao had met Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda along with Mr. Raj to persuade him to join the “People’s Front.”
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It is speculated that Mr. Raj might contest from Telangana since he is assured of TRS support.
The actor has been open about his political views and opposition to the BJP in the run-up to the State Assembly polls, while not joining any political party or formation.
He has taken to his official Twitter handle and started the campaign, #JustAsking, posing questions on various issues, especially communalism.
Talking to The Hindu in the run-up to the Assembly polls, the actor had admitted that he might not be in electoral politics, but had a strong plan of action.
He had also claimed that the #JustAsking campaign had turned out to be a “movement” in itself and had empowered people.
The actor had even batted for a strong regional party in Karnataka and elsewhere in the country.