Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Chiranjeevi reaches out to his'rivals'

August 20, 2008 23:19 IST
Less than a week since he stepped in to the political waters, the Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has already stirred up a storm of sorts not only with the way he has started attracting the leaders from other parties but with his pleasing manner and unusual friendly approach towards his political rivals.

Even as his telephonic conversation with the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani has already triggered speculations of whether he was seeking an alliance, Chiranjeevi has caused surprise all round by saying he was soon to going to make a 'courtesy call' on the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and the Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu.

Chiranjeevi and the BJP leaders have made it clear that the brief telephone call between the star and Advani was a 'courtesy call without any political significance. But both the sides were stressing that it was the other side which made the call.

Chiranjeevi said, "it was a courtesy call and it had no political significance," while BJP national vice president M Venkaiah Naidu said, "it was a courtesy call. Any talk of an alliance is premature as Chiranjeevi is yet to announce his policies".

Chiranjeevi, who in his inaugural press conference had made a surprising remark that no leader of any other party was his rival, said, "As I have decided to join politics, it would be nice gesture to meet the leaders of other parties".

Chiranjeevi's camp has already contacted the office of the Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president Chandrababu Naidu for convenient appointment to arrange the meeting.

The sources said that as both the leaders had packed schedule the meeting will take place in next few days. The film star wants to meet the leaders of other parties before his first public meeting in Tirupati on August 26.

Chiranjeevi has already spoken to Governor ND Tiwari and sought his blessings for his political future. "I am soon going to meet the governor personally", the actor said. He was also likely to meet the leaders of the left parties with whom he has explored the possibility of a tie up in future.

The observers say that Chiranjeevi is keen to continue the friendly relations with the leaders of other parties which he enjoyed as an actor and social activist. He had a warm relations with Chandrababu Naidu and they often met at social level. Secondly he is also trying to chart a path different from the other political parties. "Chiranjeevi has the image of a gentleman and he does not want to spoil it by indulging unwarranted sniping and resorting personal attacks which is the hall mark of present day politics", said a senior advisor of Chiranjeevi.

The Telugu superstar, who in his films portrayed the role of a leader who fights against the faction violence in Rayala Seema region, is now trying to play the same role in real life. Welcoming the former TDP MP from Nandyal Bhuma Nagi Reddy and his wife former MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy, Chiranjeevi said that he hopes that the couple will work with him to bring a new culture to Rayala Seema.

Rayalseema comprising of four drought-prone and under developed districts of Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor is notorious for its factional violence and killings. In the face of criticism against the induction of a factional leader like Bhuma Nagi Reddy in to his party, Chiranjeevi said, "they want to bring a change in Rayalseema and I welcome that".

In another related development, Mahajana Party, working at the grass root level among the weaker section has decided to merge itself in Chiranjeevi's party. "We have decided to merge in to Chiranjeevi's party because he has committed himself to social justice", said party president Sambasiva Rao after meeting Chiranjeevi on Wednesday.

Mohammed Siddique in Hyderabad