Acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua, who has been vocal against the Citizenship Amendment Act, on Thursday clarified that he had no intention of joining politics, after his name was discussed as a probable candidate for one of the Rajya Sabha seats from Assam.

“I came to know that the Opposition parties in Assam have been discussing my name as a probable candidate for the Rajya Sabha. Some sections have also been heard saying that I have expressed my desire to be so. But I want to clarify that this is absolutely not true. I’m extremely hurt. I have said it before that I’m not a political figure and I never wanted to go to the Rajya Sabha on behalf of any political party,” Barua said in a video message.

Three Rajya Sabha seats from Assam will fall vacant on April 9. Of these three seats, two vacancies came up after Congress leaders Bhubaneswar Kalita and Sanjay Singh joined the BJP in August last year and quit their seats. The third vacancy is due to Bodoland People’s Front MP Biswajit Daimary completing his term.

Barua, a multiple National award-winning filmmaker from Assam, was hailed for his stand against the CAA. He also withdrew his film Bhoga Khirikee (Broken Window) from the state film awards as a mark of protest against the CAA.

“We have a rich history of leaders like Chaolung Sukapha and Saint Xankardev setting an example of inclusiveness with all religions, castes and creed. But today, it’s exactly opposite... I have always maintained that I’m a very neutral person but as a concerned citizen of a democratic country, I have felt this is not good. So, it is our responsibility to oppose this (CAA). In fact, everybody should come out,” Barua had told The Telegraph earlier on his stand on the CAA.

There has been speculation that the Congress and the AIUDF will field a common candidate for the seat. The BJP has decided to give one seat to its alliance partner, the BPF, and is likely to field Bhubaneswar Kalita for the other seat.