Sandalwood actor Shivarajkumar who was supposed to participate in the 11 day padayatra organized by the Indian National Congress, skipped the rally at the last minute after his fans urged him to not to be a part of the padayatra as it is restricted to only one political party.

The Congress has started Padayatra on Sunday (January 09^th) seeking implementation of Mekedatu Water Project. The 170 KM padayatra started from Sangama and will end in Bangalore on the 19^th of January.

KPCC president D K Shivakumar had met actor Shivarajkumar at his residence and invited him to be a part of the rally. As the rally was termed as a Congress rally, DKS wanted to give it a apolitical touch and had invited Shivarajkumar to be a part of it.

Though Shivarajkumar does not belong to any party, his brother-in-law Madhu Bangarappa has joined Congress recently. Shivarajkumar’s wife Geetha Shivarajkumar who contested the Shivamogga Loksabha Constituency election a few years back on a JDS ticket, has distanced herself from the party and is now looking forward to join the Congress soon. But Shivarajkumar being the son of Kannada icon Dr Rajkumar is not affiliated to any party and like his father, has distanced himself from all the parties. His fans also urged him not to be a part of the padayatra as it is organized by the Congress party and it may give wrong signals that the actor is affiliated to the party.

To avoid being portrayed as affiliated to any particular party, the actor skipped the rally at the last minute.