Chiru's first defeat

Chiranjeevi's party rules out alliance with BJP, TDP





New Delhi: Chiranjeevi's party Praja Rajyam today ruled out any truck with either the BJP or TDP in Andhra Pradesh and the actor himself said CPI(M) is his natural ally unless it ties up with the TDP.
Allu Aravind, who is also the brother-in-law of Chiraneevi, had a 30-minute meeting with CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member Sitaram Yechury.
Chiranjeevi launches Praja Rajyam membership drive
He later told reporters that his party would have no truck with either the BJP or the TDP.
On his first tour of Andhra Pradesh after launching his party, the Telugu superstar said that CPI(M) would be the "most natural ally" of his party.
Asked would this hold good even if the CPI(M) tied up with TDP, he said "No."
To a question whether he seems himself as Chief Minister, he said "I can see. You can better ask the question to the public and they will say yes."
Chiru’s first defeat from film fraternity; loses MAA polls
Chiranjeevi said the people have confidence (in him) and the confidence gave him the strength.
"I have myself declared that if the people wish for separate Telangana nobody can stop it, nobody can a hurdle for the position. The Prajarajyam will not be, too," he said to another question.
Amid indications of a grand alliance involving the Left parties, TDP and Telangana Rashtra Samithi in the state, the CPI(M) is set to take a final decision on the poll tie-up at its three-day Central Committee meeting in Kolkata starting tomorrow.

'Praja Rajyam' launched; Chiranjeevi vows to change Andhra politics

Tirupati: Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on Tuesday launched his long-awaited political party 'Praja Rajyam'(People's Rule) and vowed to bring a change in Andhra Pradesh's politics as he took the temple town of Tirupati by storm with a mega rally attended by some one million frenzied supporters.
"It will be a democratic and secular party. It will be a people's party, born from the hearts of the people. It will be a party for backward classes, farmers, workers, women and youth," he said amid wild cheering from a mainly male gathering drawn from all over Andhra Pradesh.
"The party will work for development, modernisation and industrial revolution. Its goal will be santosh and ananda (contentment and happiness) Andhra Pradesh," he said, speaking in Telugu.
"I know your problems, pains and sufferings and will always stand by you," he said, while taking the oath in the name of Lord Venkateshwara to dedicate his life to serve the people.
Broadly outlining the policies of his eagerly awaited party, he said that eliminating poverty, ensuring social equality, rooting out corruption, development of villages on par with urban areas, and providing health and education to all would top the agenda.
During the two-hour mega show, the 53-year-old actor said he favoured prohibition but added that his party would take a final decision only after detailed deliberations.
He termed as 'social' the problem of Maoist violence and promised to respect the sentiments for a separate Statehood for the Telangana region.
"After spending 30 years in the glamorous field, I could have lived a life for myself. I have all the comforts in life but I decided to be in your midst by responding to your appeal," said Chiranjeevi, who announced his decision to join politics August 17.
"I am overwhelmed by your support all these years. Now it is time for me to pay back and be in your midst to share your sufferings," said Churu, as he is fondly called, amid thunderous applause.
Chiru, who declared that he had no rivals in politics, took a swipe at the ruling Congress for selling government land to industries and for acquiring cultivable land for Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
"We have no rivals. Problems are our rivals. We have no rivals because we have no fear and greed. We have entered the battlefield but our battle is against problems. Courage and honesty are our two weapons. We have no leader. All are soldiers. I am also one among you," he said

SP leaders meet Chiranjeevi

Hyderabad: Three Samajwadi Party leaders, including Amar Singh, on Sunday met actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi here, triggering speculation about electoral alliance between them.
The SP leaders drove to Praja Rajyam party's office at Jubilee Hills here and spent over an hour with the actor.
Though spokesman of the Paraja Rajyam P Prabhakar described the meeting as a courtesy call, sources in the party said the SP leaders discussed the political situation and contours of alliances at the national and state level.
Also read: Chiranjeevi in row after attending inter-caste marriage
SP general secretary Singh congratulated Chiranjeevi for launching the party with social justice as its main agenda and said people like him should join politics.
Jayaprada, a popular yesteryear heroine of Telugu cinema, was paired with Chiranjeevi in several films. The Telugu mega star also enjoys good rapport with Amitabh Bachchan and his family.
Emerging from the meeting, Amar Singh, flanked by Jayaprada and Jaya Bachchan, said they had come to wish the actor good luck on his political endeavour.
Amitabh Bachchan also was to come to wish Chiranjeevi. "Since he is out of the country, we have come here to extend our greetings to him. The two families have a long-standing personal relationship," Singh said and dodged all questions about political alliance.