Prakash Raj said he was “shocked and hurt” by Kiccha Sudeep’s statement (File)
Actor Prakash Raj yesterday expressed surprise over Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep’s support to the BJP ahead of next month’s Karnataka assembly elections.
Mr Sudeep on Wednesday announced his support for the BJP and said he would campaign for the party but would not contest the May 10 assembly polls.
“I am shocked and hurt by Kichcha Sudeep’s statement,” Mr Raj was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The veteran actor, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Bengaluru as an independent candidate, had earlier dismissed reports of Mr Sudeep joining the BJP.
At a press conference yesterday with Chief Minister Basavaraj, before Mr. Sudeep made his plans public, he said, “I firmly believe that this is a fake news spread by desperate people who lost BJP in Karnataka. @KicchaSudeep to become a victim There is a far more sensible citizen for this.” Bommai by his side.
Mr Raj had been vocal on social and political issues and often attacked the Narendra Modi government.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr. Sudeep referred to Mr. Bommai as his “godfather” and said he would support him irrespective of the party he belonged to.
“I will only campaign for the BJP, will not contest elections,” he said. He insisted that he was not joining politics.