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In a development that could greatly alter the political landscape in the state ahead of the 2009 assembly and general elections, the much-dithering Chiranjeevi has finally decided to take the political plunge.
A close aide of Chiru, as he is popularly called, told TOI that an announcement to this effect would be made by the actor himself either by the New Year or Sankranti. The aide, who is closely involved in the charitable activities of Chiranjeevi, said the actor took the decision after consultations with his well wishers and important leaders and intellectuals from all walks of life.
“Chiru thinks the time is now ripe to take the plunge. All his doubts about the political campaign have been cleared. The pressure to lead a third alternative force has been mounting on him. Not only fans, but several political parties, activists and leading personalities in the state and at national level have been looking forward to his announcement,” the aide said.
A member of the backward Kapu community from Andhra, Chiranjeevi is believed to have kept his stance on Telangana close to his chest and would reveal only after assessing the initial feedback among the public after his political foray, his aides said.
Despite having a huge fan following across the state, Chiranjeevi has kept everyone guessing for the past several years whether he would enter politics. The political scene in the state is currently dominated by the Reddys and the Kammas. But Kapu leaders had wanted the OBCs, including the Kapus, to come together as they are 37 per cent of the population.
“OBCs form the major chunk in the state, and yet do not have a political voice,” a Kapu leader said. It is in this background that several OBC leaders had pleaded with Chiranjeevi to lead a front that can eventually empower politically these backward sections.
OBC leaders are confident the actor would be able to galvanise all into one cohesive group. “One reason for Chiranjeevi’s vacillation was because he did not want to be viewed merely as a leader of Kapus. But now, he has realised that the entire spectrum of backward communities, SCs, STs and minorities are waiting for his arrival on the scene. He is the unifying force that we have been waiting for,” one leader said.
Sources said the actor was in touch with the BSP. “In a way, the battle scheduled for 2009 has already begun. It is no longer a bipolar fight,” one OBC leader exulted in jubilation.
Courtesy: TimesOfIndiaThe cat is finally out of the bag. Film actor Chiranjeevi is testing the ground to announce his new political party. The deadline may be around Sankranti.
A confidante of Chiranjeevi held a luncheon meeting with a select group of newspaper reporters to discuss the feasibility of Chiranjeevi setting up a political party and the impact it would have on the electoral politics. Only four reporters were invited to the "feedback" session. Though Chiranjeevi's proposed plans to set up a party have been in the air for quite long, the film actor actually did not undertake any exercise so far. This is the first time that a feedback session is organised raising speculations that a political party will be announced soon.
Interestingly Chiranjeevi's aide chose to invite reporters of four Telugu dailies, Vaarta, Andhra Jyothy, Eenadu and Andhra Bhoomi. The meeting lasted four hours. The aide will now brief the interaction to the film actor. After weighing all the pros and cons, the film actor will take a final decision before the New Year. His new political party may become a reality by Sankranti, if everything goes on well.
It is to be seen whether the excercise with reporters is just to send feelers and test the ground or is it a genuine exercise to set up the party. Let's wait and see. All through people have been waiting for Chiru to announce a political party. This time the wait is just 40 days