As poll fervour peaks in Karnataka, Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep may join the BJP. Besides Sudeep, another actor Darshan Tugudeepa is also likely to join the party, said reports.
The duo will become party members at a function to be held in Bengaluru in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday afternoon, reported ANI.
Though the actor, who boasts a massive fanbase, is yet to confirm the news, reports hint that Sudeep will be the party's star campaigner in the upcoming Assembly elections. The 51-year-old actor belongs to the Nayaka caste which holds sway in the Kalyana-Karnataka region. Concentrated in the Chitradurga, Bellary and Raichur districts, the Nayakas are notified under the Scheduled Castes list in the state.
Meanwhile, Sudeep has reportedly received a threat letter. It was the actor's manager who received the letter, following which he approached the police to register a case.
Police said Sudeep's manager Jack Manju received a letter from an anonymous person, threatening to release the actor's "private video" on social media. Following this, the Puttenahalli police registered a case under sections 504, 506 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
There are also reports that the local police may hand over the case to the Central Crime Branch. Further investigation is underway in the matter, said police.
Meanwhile, former MP from Mandya LR Shivarame Gowda too joined the BJP after being expelled from JD (S). A statement released by Gowda said he along with his son Chetan Gowda will join the saffron party on Wednesday.
This comes as JD(S) state chief HK Kumaraswamy expelled Gowda for indulging in anti-party activities, including making derogatory remarks against the former Mandya MP and the late Congress leader G Madegowda.
Gowda is not the only leader to switch from JD (S) to BJP. Earlier, senior leader AT Ramaswamy, a four times MLA from Arkalgud Assembly constituency, had joined the BJP. It was speculated that Ramaswamy's joining can be a shot in the arm for BJP due to his influence in the Hassan district, where JD(S) is thought to have a stronghold.
