Movie stars entering politics is not a new phenomenon in Karnataka politics and the Congress party now has its eye on Sandalwood’s Challenging Star Darshan Toogudeepa.
According to a source with knowledge about the goings-on, senior party leaders, including, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, Dr G Parameshwara and actor Ambareesh are now holding talks with actor Darshan to bring him into the Congress’ fold.
The party seniors have had one round of talks with the High Command in this regard. If the actor decides to join the party, the Congress is planning to field him as a candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections against BJP Youth Wing President and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha.
“The Congress is looking for someone with a huge following. Inducting movie starts into the party is not a new move. But instead of inducting veteran actors and those who are in the fag end of their career in the movie industry, we want someone who is young and can attract the youth. The party is looking for someone who can sway crowds and has the capability of swinging votes,” the source added.
Congress’ move to lure the actor, the source says, has however not been fruitful till now even though Darshan’s mother, Meena Toogudeepa is currently the Mysuru Congress Women’s Wing President.
“His mother is also part of the party, but he is not willing for now. We will have more talks with him. With his following, it will definitely be able to attract the youth. That is the key to the Lok Sabha election. If we have the youth, then we can swing votes in our favour. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that the revival of Congress will begin in Karnataka. We are going to utilise all options available,” a senior source in the party said.
Actor Darshan has in the past, landed in several controversies. In September 2011, Darshan was arrested for allegedly assaulting and threatening his wife with a revolver. He was also booked for various offences including attempted murder.
His wife, Vijayalakshmi, at the time, was admitted to the ICU at a private hospital in Bengaluru. Darshan’s wife, in her complaint, had alleged that the actor had been torturing her and their three-year-old child.
Darshan, the son of the erstwhile Kannada film villain, Toogdeepa Srinivas, has a huge fan following. He has also acted in numerous blockbusters.
In October 2012, when Darshan was appointed the ambassador of the Karnataka Health Department, women’s rights activists had severely criticised the then BJP government's move.
Considering the actor was in judicial custody for assaulting his wife in 2011, activists and the Women's Commission had expressed their views against the move. However, the Health Department had stuck to its decision by stating that the choice was made due to the actor’s huge following.