Mangaluru: Real Star Upendra, on Moday, December 4, said that the Karnataka Prajnyavanta Janata Paksha (KPJP) will field 224 candidates in the upcoming state assembly elections.
Wearing a khaki shirt and a simple pair of jeans, at a press meet held at the press club, Upendra said that the party has launched a new app which will allow candidates, who are interested in contesting the elections to file their applications. Speaking about the criteria for selection, he said that the candidates should know about the micro level problems of their constituencies and how these problems can be addressed and solved. He also added that if he gets 224 good and transparent candidates who will abide by the party’s principles, he is ready to be the ambassador for the party. “It is not my intention to lead the party, but the candidates should follow the principles of the party. It is also my responsibility to select good candidates for the party, who will work with transparency for the people,” he added.
“I am not going to change the democracy but I will make the effort to reach out to the real base of our democracy. 80% of the people in the country are silent on politics while the remaining 20% are making a lot of noise in the political sphere. I want to reach out to the 80% who are silently watching the political landscape. The intelligent people should come out and change the system,” he said.
Speaking about the condition of modern day politics, he said that it has become a business and that the cards of caste, emotion and money are played to win elections. “This has to be stopped. This is crossing the limits of democracy. We don’t want a ‘Rajakiya’, we need a ‘Prajakiya,” he asserted.
Stating that there was no need to spend tons of money on campaigns, he said that campaigning can be done by using whatever is readily available like social media, press meetings, etc.
When questioned about how the party plans to reach the people in the Dakshina Kannada district and get their votes, when other political parties are using religion and caste to get their votes, he said that where there is truth, there is no need to bring religion into politics. In the present scenario, speaking the truth has become very difficult. Religion should be in our hearts and not in politics. There are more important issues in our society, such as health and proper education system. “There are already several problems in the society. If we divide and rule nothing will be fair,” he said.
“In spite of knowing that our politics is getting worse, we are not doing anything to oppose it. When there is a good education system and healthcare for the people, there will be no scope for corruption,” he stated.
He also stated that the party has received 50,000 emails regarding the micro level problems in various sectors in the state. “Our manifesto will be based on the problems of the respective constituencies in the state,” he said.
“Regardless of whether we win or lose the elections or even if we win a single seat, our intention is to compete for change and we will work with our principles and make the constituency a role model,” he added.
Rejecting funding, he said that they support instead of money. Commenting on Prime Minister Modi’s government, he opined that demonetization and GST are good programmes but there should be a gap after demonetization before implementing GST. “Even CM Siddaramaiah is doing good work,” he stated.
Actors like Shivaraj Kumar, Yash and Yaduveer Wadiyar of Myuru are supporting Upendra’s cause.
