Soundarya, the popular Kannada actress who was BJP’s star crowd-puller in the South, died when the 50-year-old private plane taking her to the campaign trail crashed soon after take-off. Three others, including her brother, also died when the four-seater Cessna appeared to lose balance almost as soon as it was air-borne. It crashed into the Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra campus just across the road from the aerodrome on the outskirts of Bangalore. Even before rescuers could reach it, the aircraft burst into flames. All four bodies were charred. Soundarya’s decision to campaign for the BJP had been a big boost to the saffron brigade. The popular, 32-year-old actress had a broad-based appeal and had acted in Kannada, Telegu and Malayalam films and she also starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi movie, Suryavansham. Soundarya’s brother Amarnath and the state Hindu Jagran Vedike unit chief convenor Ramesh Kadam were with her and the plane was being piloted by Joy Philip from the Agni Aero-sports Adventures Academy. Agni CEO Arvind Sharma said the aircraft had clocked 7,000 flying hours. While it is still early to tell what caused the crash, its airworthiness certificate and other papers were being examined. Soundarya’s death had political circles in a tizzy. Arun Jaitley, who is supervising the campaign in Karnataka, rushed to the spot, followed by Chief Minister S.M. Krishna. Calculations have begun on how it will affect the election scenario and whether it will create a sympathy wave of sorts for the BJP.
