Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai added some star power to his arsenal ahead of the 10 May Assembly elections.
On Wednesday, 5 April, popular Kannada actor Sudeep — aka Kichcha Sudeep — extended his support to Bommai and promised to campaign for the candidates the chief minister suggests.
Rejecting speculations that he was set to join the BJP, Sudeep said he would only be campaigning for “friends and well-wishers”.
At an event devoid of any official BJP symbols, the actor endorsed Basavaraj Bommai as an “individual”.
The BJP asserted that Sudeep’s endorsement would boost the party’s prospects, especially among the Nayakas — a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community — to which he belongs.
The BJP also felt that the actor’s pan-Karnataka appeal as a popular actor would benefit the party.
“I have come here to announce my support to Basavaraj Bommai, whom I adore and address as ‘mama’ (uncle) with affection and respect. He has stood by me during difficult times and early days in the film industry,” Sudeep revealed the reason for supporting Bommai.
Sudeep’s endorsement of Bommai comes at a time the chief minister has been independently asserting his presence and position ahead of the polls.
South First had reported on how, despite the BJP not projecting a chief ministerial face this election, a parallel campaign supporting Bommai as the chief minister had been initiated under the banner “Mathomme Bommai”.
Related: Amit Shah shows tacit preference to BSY son
Bommai’s star campaigner
With the campaign heating up, political parties, including the BJP, are seeking the support of popular figures.
Sudeep is the BJP’s first star campaigner. Another popular actor, Darshan, too, is also likely to join the BJP campaign. However, no official announcement has been made.
Sudeep was categorical in stating that his support was for Bommai and will extend it to candidates that the chief minister picks.
“The talks have been confined only to supporting Bommai and I will do whatever he says. The blueprint of my campaign is not yet ready and no talks have been made on my visit to constituencies,” Sudeep said.
“I have extended my support for Bommai and I will do whatever is possible from my side. He knows my constraints well. I cannot visit all the Assembly seats,” the actor added.
ಹೆಸರಾಂತ ಚಿತ್ರನಟ @KicchaSudeep ಅವರು ನನ್ನ ಮೇಲಿನ ಪ್ರೀತಿ, ವಿಶ್ವಾಸದಿಂದ, ನನಗೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಬೆಂಬಲ ನೀಡುವುದಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ, ಅವರಿಗೆ ತುಂಬು ಹೃದಯದ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳನ್ನು ಅರ್ಪಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಅವರನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಪರ ಪ್ರಚಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡು, ಅವರ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಸದ್ಭಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇವೆ.1/2 pic.twitter.com/veYgs9BmRX
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) April 5, 2023
On supporting a party that is facing corruption charges, Sudeep said: “I will only speak on those issues that I know of. The law in India is very strong. If something is wrong, the law will take its course of action. I believe in the law.”
He also said: “It will be wrong on my part to make comments on accusations. There are also good reasons behind announcing support for Bommai.”
On whether he would campaign for any other political parties, he said: “If anyone from the other political parties has stood by me during tough times, I will support them in the elections.”
A beaming Bommai told reporters: “We will chalk out a proper plan on how to utilise Sudeep in the elections. We will also keep in mind the sentiments of his fans and followers and utilise him properly for the campaigning.”
Even as the actor said his support was for Bommai, the chief minister extended it to the whole party.
“Sudeep announcing his support to our party has energised the cadre. I welcome his decision. I will also express my gratitude to Sanjeev and Saroja (parents of Sudeep). They are like our family members,” he said.
“Sudeep’s support has given a boost to the BJP. After he announced that he will campaign for the party, many people, especially youths, are pledging their support to me.”
Related: ‘Bommai not expanding Cabinet to avoid making BSY son minister’
Congress mocks BJP’s dependence on ‘film stars’
Earlier, there were talks of Sudeep supporting the Congress after Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar met him at his residence recently.
After Sudeep announced his support to Bommai, the Congress hit out at the BJP with innuendos invoking central agencies.
In a tweet, AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said: “A film star is free to choose whom to support, sometimes by IT-ED or otherwise,” hinting that cine artists could be forced to join the campaign.
“As no one turns up to listen to CM Bommai and the BJP leaders, they now rely on film stars to draw crowds,” he added.
A Film Star is free to choose whom to support, sometimes by IT-ED or otherwise.
Bankruptcy of BJP in #Karnataka is clear.
As no one turns up to listen to CM Bommai & BJP leaders, they now rely upon Film Stars to draw crowd.
People, not Film Stars,will decide fate of Karnataka.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 5, 2023
Surjewala’s statement came a day after Congress leaders claimed that the BJP government has been misusing I-T and ED officials to intimidate leaders, cadres and sympathizers of rival parties.
The Congress made the allegation at a late-night news conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, 4 April.
“The I-T department has already searched my home and they found nothing. I am not the person who takes decisions under pressure,” Sudeep burst into laughter when one of the reporters asked if he was pressured by the I-T and ED to support the BJP.
A whole set of BJP leaders, including Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, lashed out at Surjewala.
This CONgress dynast loyal seems rattled by the popularity @BJP4India is gaining from every section of the society in Karnataka.
I don’t blame him, after al he is only accustomed to celebrating the support from PFI, SDPI&it’s likes for his party.
People wil win elections for us https://t.co/Zp2Ogmhvoe
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) April 5, 2023
Related: BJP’s Bommai conundrum in Karnataka
Shivaramegowda back in BJP
Before the star-studded affair of Sudeep endorsing Bommai, the BJP welcomed Mandya strongman and former Lok Sabha member LR Shivarame Gowda back into its fold.
Gowda, who had represented the Mandya Parliament segment, was expelled by the JD(S) last year for anti-party activities. He had previously been with the BJP as well as the Congress.
The incumbent government believes that Gowda joining the BJP might improve the party’s prospects in the Vokkaliga-dominated Mandya. The BJP is fighting hard to make inroads in Mandya.
Gowda told reporters: “I held talks with the BJP high command, including national president JP Nadda. CM Bommai also played a key role in my rejoining the party. I wanted the support of a national political party.”
ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ, ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಳ್ಳುವ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಪರ ಆಡಳಿತವನ್ನು ಮೆಚ್ಚಿ ಹಲವರು ಪಕ್ಷ ಸೇರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಮಾಜಿ ಸಂಸದರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಎಲ್.ಆರ್. ಶಿವರಾಮೇಗೌಡ, ಕೋಲಿ ಸಮಾಜದ ಮುಖಂಡರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಯೋಗೇಶ್ ಬೆಸ್ತದ್, ಕುರುಬ ಸಮಾಜದ ಮುಖಂಡರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಪ್ಪ, ಕೃಷಿಕ ಸಮಾಜದ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಂಜು ಅವರನ್ನು ಪಕ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ಆತ್ಮೀಯವಾಗಿ ಬರಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಯಿತು. pic.twitter.com/rJFQGJXFo3— Nalinkumar Kateel (@nalinkateel) April 5, 2023
“There were fewer opportunities for the BJP in Mandya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are making efforts to win Mandya,” he said.
“Mandya was dominated by the Congress and the JD(S). Now onwards, the BJP will emerge as the strong party in the region. I and my son, who has also joined the BJP, will ensure the party’s victory in all the seven Assembly seats in Mandya,” Gowda exuded confidence.
According to party sources, the BJP was “planning to field Shivarame Gowda from the Mandya Assembly seat”.
