Actor Prakash Raj voiced surprise yesterday when Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep announced his backing for the BJP ahead of the Karnataka state elections next month.
Mr Sudeep proclaimed his support for the BJP on Wednesday and stated that he will advocate for the party but will not run in the May 10 assembly elections.
“I am shocked and hurt by Kichcha Sudeep’s statement,” Mr Raj said, according to news agency ANI.
The seasoned actor, who stood unsuccessfully as an Independent candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Bengaluru, previously denied rumours of Mr Sudeep joining the BJP.
“I strongly believe this is fake news spread by the desperate, losing BJP in Karnataka.” “@KicchaSudeep is a far more sensible Citizen to fall prey,” he said before Mr Sudeep made his statement.
“I strongly believe this is a Fake news spread by the desperate, loosing BJP in Karnataka. @KicchaSudeep is far more sensible Citizen to fall prey,” he said before Mr Sudeep made his plans public at a press conference yesterday, with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai by his side.
Mr Raj had been vocal on social and political issues and frequently attacked the Narendra Modi government.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Sudeep referred to Mr Bommai as his “godfather” and said he would have supported him irrespective of the party he was in.
“I will only campaign for the BJP, not contest the elections,” he announced, asserting that he is not joining politics.
