Weeks after he first announced that he was taking the political plunge, Sandalwood superstar Upendra unveiled the name of his new political party.
Inaugurating the party at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru, Upendra announced that the new party will be called the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Paksha.
Unveiling the name of the party, Upendra said that it was not his party but a party for the people.
“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,” Upendra said.
The actor also said that the party would not focus on the personalities in it. “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 said.
Upendra speaking at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday
The actor announced the KPJP will focus on the most important needs of the people. Among the objectives he listed for the party were education, health insurance for all, good infrastructure, smart villages, agricultural development, encouraging small scale industries and promoting local talent.
“We have so much unharnessed talent. People are going through schools mechanically. There needs to be a change. When local talent is harnessed, there can be upliftment of rural communities,” Upendra said.
Announcing that the party’s website and app will be launched on November 10, Upendra invited all members of the public who had ideas for how to improve society and the state to come forward and contribute to the party.
“This is an appeal. If anyone shares our objectives and have ideas to help realise these objectives can come join us,” he said.
Upendra also said that the KPJP will contest elections in all Assembly constituencies in 2018. "You may say that there are only six months for the elections and that we may not win. Making an effort to bring in change is important. Giving up is not a choice," he said.
Press persons made to sit on the stage as Upendra answers their questions
Upendra also said that the need of the hour in politics is micro-planning. “The people in rural communities have been neglected. It is not enough that huge amounts are set aside for various schemes. What is happening to this money? Nobody is asking that. We need micro level planning,” he said.
He said that the main goal of the KPJP is to bring in transparency and restore the trust of the people.
“Leaders come out during election time and announce that they have implemented so many schemes which has not happened in reality. What we lack is transparency. People must be able to access information on every level of schemes being implemented. They need officers who will explain to them every step of the way. That's what our party aims at doing,” he said.