Hyderabad: Kushboo is familiar as a progressive thinker. On the other hand, BJP has been given the identity as a party steeped in fundamentalism in Tamil Nadu. Kushboo’s progressive image could be utilised by BJP to change this notion.
Actress Kushboo has left the Congress party to join the BJP. She was welcomed with flowers and garlands by the party members on returning to Chennai after joining the party.
The enthusiasm among the party members was comparatively high this time than when actresses Namitha and Gowthami joined the party. This is said to be because Kushboo is familiar among the people of Tamil Nadu, is accustomed to politics and has also campaigned for two parties during elections.
The reason behind Kushboo joining BJP
Kushboo was the National Spokesperson of the Congress party for the last six years. Thereby, the Congress party has given her prominence at a national level.
But, it is claimed that Kushboo had expected an M.P seat in the last Parliamentary election and was disappointed as the Congress party did not give much attention to her during the elections. While rumours of her joining the BJP, for this reason, had been surfacing last month, Kushboo joined the BJP yesterday.
The members of BJP claim that Murugan, the President of Tamil Nadu BJP unit, played an important role in this. Actress Kushboo too confirmed the same during the press meet today.
Murugan is said to have met Kushboo at her residence last month. On learning this, K.S. Alagiri, the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress party, also met and discussed with Kushboo.
Following this, Kushboo led the protest held at Perambur against the U.P government in which she criticized the BJP government.
However, according to sources from Kamalalayam, Kushboo joined the BJP after Murugan assured her a national level position in the party, an M.L.A seat in the upcoming Legislative Assembly election and expenditures for the election.
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Also, Kushboo is familiar as a progressive thinker. BJP could utilize this image to change its identity as a party steeped in fundamentalism in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, Kushboo has said that though she is part of BJP, she is still a follower of Periyar’s policy.
According to informed sources, by having Kushboo, a Muslim by birth, join the party and by providing her with national-level position and an M.L.A. seat, the BJP has planned to prove to the people of Tamil Nadu that it is a party not only for Hindus but also for other religions.
Political analysts doubt whether Kushboo, who has changed 3 parties in 10 years, would be accepted by the people of Tamil Nadu and if her image of being a progressive thinker would help BJP establish itself in Tamil Nadu.
Moreover, it could not be presumed that Kushboo’s political career would rise to a peak because she has joined the BJP as there are fractions and frictions in the Tamil Nadu BJP party as well.
Although Kushboo has impressed people as an actress and screen star, it is doubtful if she could translate the same into votes, the reality being that she was unable to do it when she was part of the DMK and the Congress party.
Kushboo is being given the grand welcome as BJP needs a popular face to compete in Tamil Nadu. The screen stars who joined the party earlier lack the image and eloquence Kushboo has.
Despite her eloquence, Kushboo does not possess the sharp political knowledge which most of the Dravidian leaders have. How her future in BJP would turn out to be is something which we have to wait for.
