BENGALURU: Actor-turned-activist Ahimsa Chethan has announced plans to launch a new political party in Karnataka, saying the state needs a political alternative built around equality, justice and constitutional values.
Chethan made the announcement during a visit to Mangaluru, where he said the proposed party would bring together activists, organisers and people associated with social movements across Karnataka.
‘Karnataka Needs a Solution and an Alternative’
Explaining the motivation behind the new political initiative, Chethan said Karnataka needs a different political platform that focuses more closely on people’s concerns.
“Karnataka needs a solution and an alternative. We need a party based on equality and the Constitution.”
He argued that political intervention was necessary to respond to what he described as government negligence and developments affecting ordinary citizens.
New Party to Focus on Equality and Constitutional Values
According to Chethan, the proposed organisation will be a regional political party focused on equality, justice and constitutional principles.
The party’s name has not yet been finalised. Chethan said the eventual name would reflect the values and principles of the organisation.
The registration process is reportedly already underway, while meetings are being conducted in different parts of Karnataka to build the organisation and bring together people involved in social and people’s movements.
Formal Launch Planned in Hubballi
A major convention is being planned in Hubballi in January, where Chethan expects the new political party to be formally launched.
Preparatory meetings are already being held in areas including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, indicating an effort to establish an organisation across different regions of Karnataka rather than restricting the initiative to Bengaluru.
Bidadi Township Project Also Opposed
During his interaction with the media, Chethan also strongly criticised the proposed Bidadi township project.
He argued that farmers should not be forced to surrender their agricultural land in the name of development. He said the proposed township could adversely affect farmers and alleged that Bengaluru was already being harmed by development pressures.
Chethan also criticised what he described as the neglect of regions outside Bengaluru, including coastal Karnataka, North Karnataka, Central Karnataka, Kalyana Karnataka and the old Mysuru region.
A New Political Challenge in Karnataka?
The proposed party could add another voice to Karnataka’s increasingly competitive political landscape.
However, transforming a social movement into an electoral organisation presents significant challenges. The new party will need to build a statewide grassroots network, establish a clear policy platform, attract candidates and convince voters that it can provide a credible alternative to established political parties.
Chethan’s previous public activism and involvement in social issues could provide the proposed organisation with an existing base of supporters, but converting that visibility into electoral support will be a major test.
What Comes Next?
With registration reportedly underway and a larger convention planned for January in Hubballi, the coming months are likely to reveal more about the party’s leadership structure, name, ideology and electoral strategy.
For now, Chethan is positioning the proposed party as a people-centric, constitutional and equality-focused alternative in Karnataka politics.
Whether the initiative can develop into a significant political force will depend on how successfully it builds a statewide organisation and connects its stated principles with the everyday concerns of Karnataka’s voters.
The proposed party’s formal launch in Hubballi could mark a new chapter in Karnataka politics, particularly if Chethan succeeds in bringing together activists and social movements under a common political platform.
