Chances high for violence ahead of elections, says Prakash Rai

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 25, 2018: Speaking at an interaction programme organised as a part of the #JustAsking campaign in the city on April 24, Tuesday,  Actor and social activist Prakash Rai said BJP leaders are likely to incite violence to divert the attention of the people ahead of the May 12 Legislative Assembly election and the citizens should be cautious about it.

The actor said, “The BJP does not have the practice of conducting the polls peacefully. It will not come to power in the state.”

“If the BJP comes to power, (its state president) Yeddyurappa will not remain in the seat even for three months. Someone else will be made as the chief minister. Yeddyurappa has been projected as the chief ministerial candidate only to get votes. The people of Karnataka have seen such tactics by the BJP in the past,” he claimed.

Rai said three persons were chief ministers when the BJP was in power in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given better administration than Yeddyurappa in Karnataka, he said.

Rai said, “The BJP is dangerous. There is a need to check it. I have been traveling to every nook and corner of the state. During an interaction with people, they have expressed that they no longer need any violence. People are craving for peace. Hence, the BJP will not come to power. Even the people here do not require such kind of hate politics.”

He said the Tripura chief minister has claimed that internet existed in Mahabharatha time. The BJP leaders have been advised by prime minister not to give Masala to media. Modi should not prevent his leaders from issuing such statements as people should know what kind of leaders they have chosen, he said.

Rai said, “The constitution of India has given a federal structure to the Republic of India, declaring it to be a ‘Union of States’. But the states should not be made to beg before the Centre. The states should have autonomy. I have discussed it with Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao. The issue is in a nascent stage and I will give details on it in the future. The national parties will go extinct,” he predicted.

The multilingual actor said the people should understand the fact that politics has its impact on their lives. The citizens should work as Opposition parties. If an elected representative fails to work, then citizens should have a right to recall him, he said.

“Just Asking campaign has received a good response. There are several followers in social media. My talk and the issues raised by me have been shared in social media. Literary meets and discussions will be held in the future,” he said.