Politics not my cup of tea, says Prakash Raj

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Nov 12 2017: Multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj on Sunday said that he had no intentions of entering politics. "I am not interested in politics. I am not good at politics. Actors foraying into politics a disaster in this country. Popularity in film industry shouldn’t be invested in politics. People should be careful about such actors and shouldn’t blindly support them," the actor stated in an interaction with media organised by the Press Club of Bangalore on Sunday.

 

"I like Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth and Upendra, but I won’t vote for them if they enter politics. I support them if they are really committed and honest for the welfare of the people," he said.

Regarding his future he said: "I am seeing a new horizon beyond skies of the tinsel world. The picture is still very vague. I don’t know where I would land from entertainment industry. But, I want to represent voices of people."

On being trolled and branded on social media , he said: "I don’t care for the branding. I don’t belong to any group, sect, ideology or political party. I don’t go to temple, but my wife does. My mother is a Christian. That’s how life should be."

He said Gauri Lankesh’s murder made him stronger and he wasn’t afraid to speak out the truth. "I am ready to be unpopular for speaking out the truth. I am hurt to see derogatory remarks."

"MP Pratap Simha should learn to be a representative. Let him ask why I questioned his abilities as leader. There is nothing wrong in asking. Instead, he used below the belt language. He referred to my son’s death. Is my pain his fun? There are efforts to inject fear for questioning. I won’t be tired of questioning," he said.

Raj stated that BJP was justified in asking questions to Tamil actor Vijay over his observations of demonetisation in a movie. "But, there was no need to dig up his background, religion and caste," he said.

"I believe that there is a silent majority in the country. Given a chance to ink again, people want to correct their mistakes ," he said indirectly claiming that anger was rising against the NDA government at the Centre.

He said all governments in the past have attempted to silence the dissent. "This time, the intensity is more and the attack is dirtier," he said.

On GST issue, he clarified: "GST isn’t just Modi’s initiative. Every state is party to it. I wanted the Centre to include handicrafts in zero per cent tax category."

"Film stars, political parties, leaders and CEOs have appointed about 400 people for salaries only to target their rivals on social media. It’s people who are victimised in the end," he said.

To a query on Cauvery river water-sharing issue, the actor said: "The issue has been dealt emotionally. You should protect forest in and around Kodagu. There won’t be water to fight in another 10 years if you don’t preserve the forest."

courtesy:DHNS