COIMBATORE: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former founder of Samathuva Makkal Katchi, R Sarathkumar, on Friday said he does not intend to contest the upcoming Assembly polls and that his focus would be on strengthening the party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Speaking to the media in Coimbatore on the sidelines of an awareness rally by college students to highlight the need to reduce plastic use and protect the environment, the actor-turned-politician said he was not inclined to enter the fray this time, while stressing that his priority was to work for the BJP’s victory.

“I would be happy if those who joined the BJP with me are given opportunities. However, I would abide by decisions taken by the NDA leadership,” he said.

On the controversy surrounding Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan, Sarathkumar said the film was not denied a censor certificate for political reasons. Pointing out that no politicians serve on the censor board, he said several films in the past also faced objections, but did not trigger a similar debate then. “Tamil cinema was not facing any pressure. Film facing censor issues are natural when they deal with sensitive issues,” he said.

Sarathkumar also criticised the undue focus on film-related controversies while pressing governance issues remain unattended. “When the state government has a debt burden of Rs 10 lakh crore, it is pointless to focus only on a film. Discussions should centre on people’s welfare issues,” he said.