Ahead of the Tirupathi by-polls, a noted Tollywood character artist has joined the BJP. She is Hema, who has played a number of comedy roles in movies such as 'Nuvvu Naku Nacchav' and 'Attarintiki Daredi'.

On Monday, Hema was present at a political meet chaired by Andhra Pradesh state BJP chief Somu Veerraju. There were rumours that she would be getting a membership of the saffron party. The artist didn't either deny or confirm the same.

Hema's entry into the BJP doesn't mark her political debut. She has previously been associated with a couple of parties, including the less-known Samaikya Andhra Party floated by former AP Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. She was also associated with the YCP before losing badly as an MLA candidate from Mandapet in 2014.

In 2019, she was in the news over her participation in the popular reality show Bigg Boss Telugu. 'Vinaya Vidheya Rama' and '30 Rojullo Preminchadamela' are among her recent movies.