By: S Shyam Prasad
Bengaluru: Many Kannada film personalities are ready to add glitz and glamor to the assembly elections in the state.
Popular star Kiccha Sudeep on Wednesday announced that he will campaign for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while others from the film industry will directly contest the elections.
While some people like Madhu Bangarappa have already got tickets. Madhu will contest for Congress and will likely take on actor-brother Kumar Bangarappa from Sorba in Shivamogga, in a re-run of the previous elections. Madhu had lost to Kumar (BJP) contesting on a JD(S) ticket in 2018, but this time the clout is expected to turn on a whim.
AAP’s first list includes comedian Tennis Krishna and producer Smile Srinu (Srinivasa N) from Turuvekere and Kudaligi respectively. Krishna had earlier served in Congress and JD(S). Senior actor ‘Chief Minister’ Chandru has also joined AAP since the last election and is likely to get the ticket.
From the JD(S), former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy (a film producer) and his actor-son Nikhil will contest from the adjoining constituencies of Channapatna and Ramanagara. Actor-producer CP Yogeshwar is likely to get a BJP ticket from Channapatna and is hoping to wrest his home turf from the former chief minister.
waiting in the wings
While the BJP is yet to reveal the names, Congress, JD(S) and AAP have announced partial lists and their second list is likely to include more film personalities. Umashree, who lost twice and won once (2013) from Terdal, is expected to get Congress ticket again.
Producer Umapati S Gowda, who made a mark in the Vokkaligara union elections, is all set to get Congress ticket from Bommanahalli in Bengaluru. With CLP leader Siddaramaiah considering contesting from Kolar, another producer, CR Manohar, who was eyeing the seat, could be accommodated elsewhere.
Actor Upendra, who formed his Uttam Prajakia party before the last elections, is fielding candidates this time too, but he will not contest.
Actress Bhavna is a contender for the Congress ticket from Yeshwantpur. But there are some ‘inhouse’ stars with whom the Congress wants to contest the elections. Actress Ramya has categorically declined offers to contest from either Padmanabhanagar or Channapatna. The former MP from Mandya has been politically inactive for some time now and the Congress fears that the BJP may buy her out. However, the actress kept her cards close to her chest.
Yet, it is the BJP that may spring a few surprises. While the saffron party has already roped in independent MP from Mandya Sumalatha Ambareesh to support and campaign for the party, others may cut the ranks. These include actress Shruti, actor and former Karnataka Chalanchitra Academy President Sunil Puranik and MLC Tara Anuradha.
Bengaluru: Many Kannada film personalities are ready to add glitz and glamor to the assembly elections in the state.
Popular star Kiccha Sudeep on Wednesday announced that he will campaign for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while others from the film industry will directly contest the elections.
While some people like Madhu Bangarappa have already got tickets. Madhu will contest for Congress and will likely take on actor-brother Kumar Bangarappa from Sorba in Shivamogga, in a re-run of the previous elections. Madhu had lost to Kumar (BJP) contesting on a JD(S) ticket in 2018, but this time the clout is expected to turn on a whim.
AAP’s first list includes comedian Tennis Krishna and producer Smile Srinu (Srinivasa N) from Turuvekere and Kudaligi respectively. Krishna had earlier served in Congress and JD(S). Senior actor ‘Chief Minister’ Chandru has also joined AAP since the last election and is likely to get the ticket.
From the JD(S), former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy (a film producer) and his actor-son Nikhil will contest from the adjoining constituencies of Channapatna and Ramanagara. Actor-producer CP Yogeshwar is likely to get a BJP ticket from Channapatna and is hoping to wrest his home turf from the former chief minister.
waiting in the wings
While the BJP is yet to reveal the names, Congress, JD(S) and AAP have announced partial lists and their second list is likely to include more film personalities. Umashree, who lost twice and won once (2013) from Terdal, is expected to get Congress ticket again.
Producer Umapati S Gowda, who made a mark in the Vokkaligara union elections, is all set to get Congress ticket from Bommanahalli in Bengaluru. With CLP leader Siddaramaiah considering contesting from Kolar, another producer, CR Manohar, who was eyeing the seat, could be accommodated elsewhere.
Actor Upendra, who formed his Uttam Prajakia party before the last elections, is fielding candidates this time too, but he will not contest.
Actress Bhavna is a contender for the Congress ticket from Yeshwantpur. But there are some ‘inhouse’ stars with whom the Congress wants to contest the elections. Actress Ramya has categorically declined offers to contest from either Padmanabhanagar or Channapatna. The former MP from Mandya has been politically inactive for some time now and the Congress fears that the BJP may buy her out. However, the actress kept her cards close to her chest.
Yet, it is the BJP that may spring a few surprises. While the saffron party has already roped in independent MP from Mandya Sumalatha Ambareesh to support and campaign for the party, others may cut the ranks. These include actress Shruti, actor and former Karnataka Chalanchitra Academy President Sunil Puranik and MLC Tara Anuradha.