AAP is the new cradle for ‘neglected’ political leaders

Actor Mukhyamantri Chandru is the latest high profile entrant to Kejriwal’s party

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Actor-turned-politician H N Chandrashekar, popularly known as Mukhyamantri Chandru has officially joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Prithvi Reddy, State president of the party, welcomed Mukhyamantri Chandru at a function held in the city on Tuesday.

Chandru is the latest high-profile personality to join AAP. A host of politicians, who have experimented with Congress, Janata Parivar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and searching for a suitable political shelter of some mettle, are now opting for AAP, following its recent thumping victory in Punjab.
Mukhyamantri Chandru, renowned Kannada cine-theatre actor, former MLC and chairman of Kannada Development Authority (KDA) resigned from the primary membership of Congress recently after he was denied the ticket to the Legislative Council. 

It is learnt that noted theatre activist Kappanna persuaded Chandru to join AAP. In all probability, he will contest in the 2023 Assembly polls. 

Chandru entered politics through Janata Parivar in 1985. He was enamoured by the persona of the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde and successfully contested the by-election from Gauribidanur. Four years later, in 1989, he lost the Lok Sabha election from Chikkaballapur. After associating with BJP, he joined Congress in 2014.  

Now, Bhaskar Rao may contest from Basavanagudi assembly constituency while Chandru may contest from Gauribidanur. The AAP had contested in 29 seats in the 2018 Assembly polls and garnered 0.06% vote share. 

“Many political leaders, who are frustrated with the happenings in the three major political parties are approaching AAP,” said Shakuntala Damle, party’s state secretary. “But we are choosing candidates with a clean image,” she said, refusing to reveal names of the politicians who are keen to join AAP.
Another senior leader said Brijesh Kalappa, who quit Congress recently, has approached AAP. Similarly, former chairman, Legislative Council, V R Sudarshan, former education minister Kimmane Rathnakar, and senior leader, B L Shankar are considering their option of joining AAP, he said.
Another prominent name doing the rounds is former speaker K R Ramesh Kumar. Prithvi Reddy clarified that the party approached K R Ramesh Kumar, but his party entry was not discussed at the meeting.
Some leaders from Janata Dal (Secular), including former MLA and official spokesperson of Janata Dal (Secular) YSV Datta and Arkalgud MLA A. T. Ramaswamy, who fought against the land grabber in Karnataka, are also learnt to have shown interest to join AAP.

Many leaders who wish to join AAP, however, are apprehensive about the secular credentials of the party. Many are upset with the party’s reaction to BJP’s continuous attempts to pursue Hindutva agenda. Many believe that AAP remains silent on communal attacks on minority and marginalised communities across the nation in its conscious attempt to maintain ideological neutrality. But Damle said that AAP will not succumb to BJP’s diversionary tactics. “BJP is diverting people’s attention from basic issues such as health and education. The party has been consciously and strategically raising issues such as Hijab and Halal to divert attention. We will not fall into the trap and focus our attention on issues that matter to the people,” she said.