<p>Veteran actor Prakash Raj has announced his exit from the Telugu Movie Artists Association (MAA), a day after he was trounced by actor Manchu Vishnu in the presidential elections.</p>.<p>Raj, associated with Telugu cinema for over two decades and known for playing villainous and other character roles, alleged that “voting on regionalism basis, with some categorising him as an outsider – a non-Telugu,” resulted in his failure.</p>.<p>MAA has over 900 members, who are all actors in the Telugu film industry, and the biennial polls are held to instate a new panel consisting of president, vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurer etc office bearers.</p>.<p>The elections this time were marked by an unprecedented campaign which often turned unpleasant with serious accusations and counter charges.</p>.<p>While 657 votes were polled on Sunday for the president post, Vishnu, son of senior actor Manchu Mohanbabu, defeated Raj with a majority of 109 votes.</p>.<p>The participation of Raj in the MAA elections had attracted the attention of political parties too this time.</p>.<p>Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay thanked MAA voters for drubbing “anti-national elements.”</p>.<p>“This is the correct lesson for those who supported the tukde gang wishing to dismantle our nation,” Bandi tweeted after the poll results came out on Sunday night.</p>.<p>Raj is known for his anti-BJP, anti-Modi stance in politics. During the 2019 elections, the actor-turned politician had campaigned in Bihar's Begusarai in support of former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar who was unsuccessful as a CPI candidate has now joined the Congress party.</p>.<p>Raj himself lost in Bengaluru, the place he hails from. As an independent candidate, Raj could muster only about 29,000 votes in the Bangalore Central constituency.</p>.<p>On Monday, addressing reporters in Hyderabad, Raj alleged that senior most actors like Mohanbabu, Kota Srinivasa Rao “have openly stated that I should behave (in Hyderabad) like a guest.”</p>.<p>“So, I have decided to remain (in the Telugu film industry) as an invitee, not as a MAA member. I was defeated in the (Lok Sabha) elections too but I did not quit politics. I am only leaving MAA, I would continue to act in Telugu films,” Raj said.</p>.<p>While maintaining that he “respects the voter verdict,” Raj charged that “even nationalism made its way in here.”</p>.<p>“BJP leader Bandi has congratulated (the other side). I thought political support was not needed in MAA elections.”</p>.<p>President elect Vishnu pleaded with Raj not to take a hasty decision, adding that success and failure should be accepted with the same spirit.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Veteran actor Prakash Raj has announced his exit from the Telugu Movie Artists Association (MAA), a day after he was trounced by actor Manchu Vishnu in the presidential elections.</p>.<p>Raj, associated with Telugu cinema for over two decades and known for playing villainous and other character roles, alleged that “voting on regionalism basis, with some categorising him as an outsider – a non-Telugu,” resulted in his failure.</p>.<p>MAA has over 900 members, who are all actors in the Telugu film industry, and the biennial polls are held to instate a new panel consisting of president, vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurer etc office bearers.</p>.<p>The elections this time were marked by an unprecedented campaign which often turned unpleasant with serious accusations and counter charges.</p>.<p>While 657 votes were polled on Sunday for the president post, Vishnu, son of senior actor Manchu Mohanbabu, defeated Raj with a majority of 109 votes.</p>.<p>The participation of Raj in the MAA elections had attracted the attention of political parties too this time.</p>.<p>Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay thanked MAA voters for drubbing “anti-national elements.”</p>.<p>“This is the correct lesson for those who supported the tukde gang wishing to dismantle our nation,” Bandi tweeted after the poll results came out on Sunday night.</p>.<p>Raj is known for his anti-BJP, anti-Modi stance in politics. During the 2019 elections, the actor-turned politician had campaigned in Bihar's Begusarai in support of former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar who was unsuccessful as a CPI candidate has now joined the Congress party.</p>.<p>Raj himself lost in Bengaluru, the place he hails from. As an independent candidate, Raj could muster only about 29,000 votes in the Bangalore Central constituency.</p>.<p>On Monday, addressing reporters in Hyderabad, Raj alleged that senior most actors like Mohanbabu, Kota Srinivasa Rao “have openly stated that I should behave (in Hyderabad) like a guest.”</p>.<p>“So, I have decided to remain (in the Telugu film industry) as an invitee, not as a MAA member. I was defeated in the (Lok Sabha) elections too but I did not quit politics. I am only leaving MAA, I would continue to act in Telugu films,” Raj said.</p>.<p>While maintaining that he “respects the voter verdict,” Raj charged that “even nationalism made its way in here.”</p>.<p>“BJP leader Bandi has congratulated (the other side). I thought political support was not needed in MAA elections.”</p>.<p>President elect Vishnu pleaded with Raj not to take a hasty decision, adding that success and failure should be accepted with the same spirit.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>