How many will pass if every potential political candidates had to prove their mettle in an elaborate test and an interview before being given ticket to contest election? If you think it sounds too cinematic, actor and politician Upendra is all set to prove you wrong.

He said that everyone who hopes to get ticket from his newly floated party — Karnataka Pragnyavanta Janata Paksha (KPJP) — will have to first visit the constituency, interact with people, know their grievances and record the entire proceedings on video.

Then they have to send it to the party along with the application form available on their website. The candidates shortlisted through this process will have to face an interview before they are chosen.

Mr. Upendra said he was confident of choosing candidates for all the 224 constituencies in the State through this process by January second week.

“I hope the KPJP will get honest candidates who are keen on changing the system. If the KPJP does not get candidates who can meet expectations, the party will keep the constituency vacant,” he said.

Asked if this was practical, he said: “If people want conventions and yatras being conducted by other political parties, let the electorate choose them.”

In his signature cinematic style, a few chairs on the dais were kept vacant at the event where he announced his mode of selecting candidates.

Asked why, he said, “These places are meant for those who will be chosen in the days to come.” He said he had interviewed about 1,500 people who are interested in joining the party and selected about 500.