Social media was yesterday abuzz with posts that actor Prakash Raj, who has often been critical of the Narendra Modi government's policies, will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But the actor has issued a clarification dismissing the reports.
In a sarcastic post on X (formerly Twitter), the actor wrote, "I guess they tried. must have realised they were not rich enough (ideologically) to buy me.. what do you think friends #justasking".
The 59-year-old was responding to a post by a user 'The Skin Doctor' which claimed that "Eminent actor Prakash Raj will join BJP today at 3 pm." The post, made at 2.56 pm, went viral within minutes and had raked up nearly a million views before the actor's response.
In January, Prakash Raj claimed that three political parties are trying to get him on board for the 2024 elections. He said that parties are after him not for his ideology but because he is a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I don't want to get into the trap," the 58-year-old said at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF).
The award-winning actor is known for his work in films such as "Kanchivaram", "Singham" and "Wanted". He had contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru Central in the 2019 general elections but lost.
Voting for the Lok Sabha elections will be held across seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Featured Video Of The Day
Maharashtra Election Results: Shiv Sena Candidate Shaina NC Visits Siddhivinayak Temple
Ajit Pawar Ahead Of Nephew Yugendra Pawar In Family Battle In Baramati Maharashtra Election Results 2024: NDA Cross 100 Seat-Mark In Maharashtra, MVA Makes Slow Fightback Jharkhand Elections: NDA Ahead, Hemant Soren's Alliance Picks Up Pace In Jharkhand Election Results 2024 LIVE Updates: Maharashtra Battle To Decide Real NCP, Sena Election Results LIVE: NDA touches halfway-mark at 144 seats in Maharashtra Jharkhand Election Results Live: NDA Leads In 40 Seats, Show Latest Trends Uttar Pradesh Bypolls: Samajwadi Party Takes Lead In Karhal, BJP Trails Ajit Pawar Ahead Of Nephew Yugendra Pawar In Family Battle In Baramati Elon Musk Hints He May Buy Left-Leaning MSNBC: "How Much Does It Cost?" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.