Sudeep calls on Chief Minister

Film actor Sudeep meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah two days after calling on Janata Dal (S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy has raised eyebrows in political circles.

Though sources close to Mr. Sudeep said the actor met Mr. Siddaramaiah to invite him for the inauguration of the Kannada Chalanachitra Cup Cricket Tournament on Saturday, his hourlong meeting triggered speculation in political circles, with the Assembly elections just around the corner.

Both the JD(S) and the Congress are said to be keen on fielding the actor to contest the Assembly election from Molakalmuru constituency in Chitradurga district.

The actor on Monday held a breakfast meeting with Mr. Kumaraswamy, Anitha Kumaraswamy, MLA for K.R. Pet Sa.Ra. Mahesh and actor Nikhil Kumar days after his uncle Sarovar Srinivas quit the JD(S) and joined the Congress along with the former Minister M.C. Nanaiah. This meeting was depicted as an attempt to assuage the feelings of Mr. Sudeep.

However, a JD(S) communique later stated that the meeting had nothing to do with politics and cinema. Sources close to Mr. Sudeep clarified that there was “nothing political” in the visit. It was a “ courtesy call to Nikhil’s house for breakfast”, sources said.

A few days ago, Mr. Sudeep had invited Mr. Kumaraswamy to his house for lunch and discussed a range of issues, including politics and cinema.

As all the three political parties — Congress, BJP and JD(S) — are trying to woo Mr. Sudeep, the actor has time and again has clarified that he has no intention of entering politics for the time being and wants to remain neutral.