HyderabadThePrint has learned that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wants to take popular actor Prakash Raj out of his home turf to expand his party’s footprint in Karnataka.
After changing the name of his party to ‘Bharat Rashtra Samithi’ (BRS), Rao, popularly known as KCR, is planning to make his presence felt in electoral Karnataka. KCR is likely to play a supporting role for the Janata Dal (Secular), especially in the nearly three dozen constituencies in the Hyderabad Karnataka region that have a sizeable Telugu presence.
Former Chief Minister of Karnataka and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy was one of the few leaders in Karnataka outside Telangana Who attended the launch ceremony of BRS in Hyderabad last month.
BRS officials told ThePrint that Raj, a staunch critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is set to play a “key role” in KCR’s national expansion plan.
The actor is said to be in regular touch with KCR. “In the coming months, we will see Prakash Raj playing an important role in the plans of the BRS and KCR’s national party. But what kind of role and where and how it will be implemented – it is for both to decide. Are discussing the matter,” a senior leader and a close aide of the Telangana chief minister told ThePrint.
“His role will hold prominence at the national level. It might be in Karnataka or Maharashtra. His services will certainly be put to use – be it as a public speaker or as a coordinator between leaders. A decision is yet to be taken on this.
The cover picture of the actor’s Twitter account is a picture of himself with the caption – ‘India is ready for a choice’. Last week, Raj put out a tweet, along with a video, to show that Telangana has seen development under KCR’s rule. it Read: “A leader with a vision…with the intention of a better tomorrow…Thank you #KCR Guru.
A leader with a vision.. with the intention of a better tomorrow.. thank you #KCR Garu pic.twitter.com/Jtlz6zOfxo
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraj) December 24, 2022
He is also retweeting the posts of the social media cell of BRS, which includes a screenshot of an alleged person. video ‘Agent’ of BJP trying to poach MLAs of BRS (erstwhile TRS).
While BRS leaders ThePrint spoke to felt that Raj could play an important role in the party, others were of the opinion that although his presence in Karnataka would have little political significance, his popularity as a versatile actor could give KCR Is Some mileage there.
From comparing BJP with “cancer” to giving party “zero point” For governance in the state and at the Centre, Raj has been a vocal critic of the ruling party.
is also a multilingual actor criticized Congress. He lashed out at the party in 2019 for allegedly spreading fake news that he was supporting it.
Till the time of publishing this report, Raj did not respond to calls and text messages from ThePrint.
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poor political fortune
In 2019, Prakash Raj contested as an independent from the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat. He lost to BJP’s PC Mohan. He also unsuccessfully contested the 2021 elections to the Movie Artistes’ Association of the Tollywood (Telugu) industry.
His original name is Prakash Rai. surnamed ‘Rai’ Generally belong to the Bunt community in Karnataka, which has a significant presence in the coastal parts of the state.
Political analyst Sandeep Shastri, who is also the national coordinator of Lokniti Network, said there was no vacuum for regional parties in the state amid the strong presence of the BJP and the Congress.
“If you look at elections in Karnataka historically, there has been little room for state-based parties amidst the presence of national parties, which snatch away the majority of the vote share. Even the Janata Dal has slipped to the third numberthird situation,” he told ThePrint.
Association with KCR
Raj’s association with KCR is not a new thing. He has always been seen with KCR ever since he first talked about forming an alternative ‘Third Front’ to the BJP and the Congress. The actor’s first meeting with KCR took place in March 2018 in Hyderabad. A month later, he accompanied KCR To meet Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda at his residence to discuss his Federal Front plans.
Raj was also present when KCR met the former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (UST) leader Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai earlier this year to discuss plans to form an alternative front. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar was also present in the meeting.
Raj’s appearance such meetings His political ambitions and the kind of role he could play in KCR’s plans to form a front at that time raised curiosity. But just as the Chief Minister’s idea of forming a front did not materialize, there was little, if any, concrete progress in Raj’s political ambitions. After years of talking about setting up a Third Front, KCR had said in April that he would form a new front. National Party To fight against BJP and Congress.
“If Raj intends to play an important role, BRS would be the right platform. And really, we want him to play a pivotal role. He is very progressive with his views and that would be a great thing for us too. He often talks to the chief minister on national politics,” said another senior BRS leader.
It will be discussed in the coming days, the Chief Minister will also talk to him. But it totally depends on Raj what kind of role he wants to do. It will be their decision. We have still not finalized on the exact role or position that he will hold,” he said.
Top BRS leaders, who did not wish to be named, pointed out that Raj’s proximity to leaders in Karnataka, Maharashtra and even Tamil Nadu could be an advantage, and that is why he was considered for the role of a coordinator. It is believed.
‘Raj’s fame can give KCR recognition’
Denying any political prominence, Professor Narendra Pani of the National Institute of Advanced Studies said that Raj is politically insignificant in the state politics of Karnataka, but his popularity as a versatile actor may give KCR a boost. Some benefits in some states, especially Karnataka.
“He is not politically important, but if KCR is planning a national role and wants to enter other states, Raj will be able to give him visibility here, given that the multilingual actor is popular in the South and even that also share fame in Delhi and Maharashtra. , That is the most he can do,” he told ThePrint.
Pani further said that Karnataka has never been friendly to actor-turned-politicians, so Raj might be the face of KCR’s expansion plans in the state.
“Prakash Raj has taken a very strong ideological line and may get support from some quarters, then some from other quarters considering his fame as an actor. So, it is difficult to put it in a box as to which sector alone can support them,” he explained.
“In the case of Kannada actor late Rajkumar too, there was talk of him joining a political party, but he never did,” Pani recalled.
(Edited by Geetalakshmi Ramanathan)
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