Kannada cine actors try their luck in BBMP poll

Bengaluru: As the political battleground gets ready for the BBMP election, it’s not just party workers and former corporators who will have their hats in the ring.

According to sources, Kannada cine actors and actresses are desperately trying their luck to win tickets to contest in the local body election. Some of the popular names include actress Prema (vying Dr Rajkumar’s ward), Vijayalakshmi Singh (Agara Dasarahalli), actor Master Anand (Attiguppe) and comedian Bullet Prakash. Sources said that all the actors are trying for tickets from the BJP and are convincing the party’s top leaders that their fame could help in winning the polls.

The BJP, however, seems to be leaving no stone unturned to ensure its victory. It has formed a committee comprising Union ministers Ananth Kumar and D.V Sadananda Gowda, MP P.C Mohan, BJP city president Subbanna, MLAs R. Ashok, Arvind Limbavali and P.Muniraju to select honest and ‘clean’ candidates. Mr Subbanna, who confirmed that these actors had approached the party seeking tickets, maintained that priority would be given to party workers over others.

“They (ticket aspirants) did come to us saying they were popular and hence people would vote for them. However, who will be given a ticket is a committee decision and importance would be given to party workers first,” he said. Though the committee is having elaborate discussions on who should be given tickets, a senior BJP leader rued that the party usually bends to compulsions and eligible candidates are not always done justice.

“Some of the senior former corporators have not been the right example for juniors and aspiring corporators. This happens only when right candidates are not given a chance. An MLA who has a strong command in the state chapter selects candidates in order to please them. These candidates are criminals or have criminal backgrounds. Such profiles should be avoided,” he said.