dhana16

HYDERABAD: Film star Chiranjeevi will launch his political party on his 54th birthday, August 22, his brother-in-law and film producer Allu Aravind indicated here on Saturday.

Speaking to the media after the Chiranjeevi National Trade Union Congress (CNTUC) took out a rally here and presented him a memorandum urging the actor to enter politics, Mr. Aravind said the film actor had firm ideas on the issue and would soon announce a decision on his political plans.

Expressing happiness over a cross-section of people appealing to the actor to join politics, he said Mr. Chiranjeevi was not an impulsive person and took decisions only after careful thought. He said (entering) politics was a big issue, people were wondering why Chiranjeevi was delaying a decision on taking the plunge. “I feel he is taking a reasonable time. We have waited for so long. Can’t we wait for some more time?” he asked.

Meanwhile, details of the agenda of the proposed party, its name, the symbol and the flag were selectively leaked to the media. But, Mr. Chiranjeevi’s actor brother, K. Nagababu, issued a statement confirming the road map to the political arena but denying details about the symbol and flag. In spite of the euphoria generated among Chiranjeevi’s fans, the proposed launch date came as a surprise because the star was expected to start the party in June first week immediately after the byelections in Telangana. Apparently, he now plans to make a short and quick dash to the general elections in April 2009 just as N. T. Rama Rao did successfully in 1982.

Mr. Aravind’s is the first specific statement from Chiranjeevi’s camp about the date of his political ‘arangetram’. In tune with his reticence all along, the film star has said nothing beyond counselling patience to his fans. Just two days ago, he deflected questions from television reporters.