The fledgling Karnataka Prajnavanta Janata Paksha (KPJP), relaunched and led by actor-turned-politician Upendra appears to be heading for a split even before its first elections.
Differences between party president Upendra and general secretary Mahesh Gowda over party tickets has led to the party calling for a meeting on Tuesday involving over 100 party members.
Upendra plunged into politics when Gowda persuaded him to take over KPJP but Upendra, speaking to TV9 appeared visibly upset and said that issuing of certificates and appointing office bearers without consulting him were the cause of the issues within the party.
Gowda, on the other hand said Upendra was acting like a dictator and was not letting others participate in the decision making process.
Amid speculation that the actor-turned politician will walk out of the party, Upendra speaking to TV9 said, “Everything was going smoothly. We interviewed candidates and selected around 150 people. We had interviews in three stages but few people in the party created confusion. Candidates asked that they are running around and doing work but there are a few people announcing themselves as office bearers. I spoke to people about it and reminded that we are going by procedure and let us continue that way. At this point they started avoiding me and even though I called them to speak about this.”
He also added that he was hurt by comments by party members that the party has selected candidates that won’t even win 20 votes.
The party was relaunched on October 31 and planned to contest in every constituency in the state.
Since the time he launched the party in October, Upendra has consistently portrayed a ‘party of the people’ image for the KPJP. At the first press conference in Bengaluru’s Gandhi Bhavan on October 31, he seated journalists and photographers on the stage, while refusing to get up on the podium himself.
During that meeting, he also repeatedly asserted that his party was for the people and will be based on transparency and honesty. “I have just created a platform for you. Those who are passionate about the cause can join me. It has always been my dream to make a change.
The actor had also said that the party would focus on issues in society and not on personalities within the party. “Our work towards helping create a better society is important. Not the person who is working towards it. The bigger goal is what matters,” Upendra had said.
“Big speeches, banners, posters and promises have been done to death and people are tired too. I want to directly indulge in dialogues with people without any of the usual shenanigans,” Upendra had told The Times of India in December.
But it appears that his ideals will be tested in a meeting of over 100 party workers convened today with the possibility of Upendra leaving the party hanging in the air.