Amid speculations that he will join BJP, Karnataka actor Kiccha Sudeep has clarified that he will not contest for any party or seat. He added that he was also not seeking a ticket for his close aide and producer Manju either.
The actor, however, said he would campaign for the saffron party in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. Though he made no comments about joining the BJP, Sudeep said he has “thought of a few things" that he will reveal during the scheduled media interaction with Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai.
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, Karnataka Transport Minister B Siramulu said that the BJP will benefit from the induction of the actor. "Kichcha Sudeep is a very popular leader, along with a popular actor. He is a very big artist in the whole country. His support to BJP will be of great benefit to our party," Siramulu was quoted by ANI.
He added that the inclusion of artists and several leaders from other parties will go towards strengthening the party.
"JDS leaders and other artists are joining BJP one after the other. Our party is strong, but with their arrival, we will be even stronger. We will get 100 per cent votes for Karnataka this time," Siramulu added.
About the threat letter, the actor said he will let the police handle the matter.
Sudeep's manager Jack Manju has approached the police after receiving a letter on Wednesday, threatening to release the actor's "private video" on social media. The Puttenahalli police registered a case under sections 504, 506 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in this regard. "Further investigation is underway in the matter," said police.