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Padmabhushan Dr.Chiranjeevi acts out political ambition with Prajarajyam party
By Arza Prasad


Telugu screen idol Dr.Chiranjeevi is set to make an impact in the state of Andhra Pradesh with the Obama-like theme of “Change”.

The 53-year-old matinee icon’s plunge into politics was a most-awaited event and is set to impact political equations in the state and unsettle both the ruling Congress and opposition Telugu Desam Party.

Not since the launch of the Telugu Desam Party by legendary cinema star, the late NT Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR, back in 1982, has Andhra Pradesh seen anything like this. Lakhs of fans and followers poured in on special trains, by road or simply walked long distances to reach Tirupati for prajarajyam inauguration in On Aug 26 2008.

Dr.Chiranjeevi had ended months of speculation about his political ambitions at his maiden press conference on Aug 17 2008 in the Andhra Pradesh capital Hyderabad.

On Aug 26, he named the party and unveiled its agenda. A disabled fan of the film star-turned-politician unveiled the flag – white and green with a blazing sun at its centre – for the party named Praja Raajyam or Peoples’ Rule.

During his two-hour long address at the launch of the newborn political outfit, the actor talked about “change” – change in education, in social, economic, agriculture and health policies of the government.


Dr.Chiranjeevi pledged to weed out corruption.

“The government should act as a trustee of public assets, but unfortunately, we now see them acting as brokers in acquiring and disposing off public assets”, the president of the newly-minted Praja Raajyam thundered to a rapturous roar from fans.

Without doubt, Chiranjeevi’s biggest strength is his star-power. Having acted in 148 films since 1978, the 53-year-old son of a police constable is easily the biggest Telugu film actor in film-crazy Andhra Pradesh.

Born Konidella Sivasankara Varaprasad, he did his diploma in acting in Chennai. After some minor, forgettable roles, Chiranjeevi, hit big time in the early 90s, charging 10 million rupees (RM776,533) per film. His later films have all had clear political and social messages.

Unlike NTR, who had wowed the Telugus playing various avatars of Hindu gods, Chiranjeevi has portrayed the quintessential do-gooder who fights evil and injustice while standing on the side of the oppressed and the under-privileged, a screen image which is bound to net him much electoral dividend, especially given his real-life acts of generosity for young fans and others in distress.

Now, all eyes are on Dr.Chiranjeevi. His test will come in Andhra Assembly elections when he will make a bid for ruling the state.

Intellectuals and professionals are Joined Dr. Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). Groups of doctors, engineers, lawyers, professors, teachers, rationalists, hi-techies and representatives of voluntary organizations are thronging the PRP office.

However, the people who have so far shown disinterest in active political activity seem to be attracted by Dr.Chiranjeevi’s call to bring in dignity and respect in the field of politics. The actor’s call for service also seems to have garnering the support of the thinking class and working class.

Many of the people came to Hyderabad to meet the star who promised to bring about a change in the state. Some youth organisations networked among themselves into a group to work for the PRP party.

A doctor from NIMS and a cardiologist from Wockhardt Hospital also came to meet Dr.Chiranjeevi along with a large number of their friends. A well-known educational institution on the outskirts of the city organised its old students into an army of volunteers to work for the party. Many heads of NGOs are also participate in the social service activities of the party.

It is reported that professional politicians are not very happy with this development in the Praja Rajyam Party.

Twenty-five years after legendary Telugu actor N T Rama Rao launched the Telugu Desam Party and altered the course of Andhra’s politics, megastar Chiranjeevi six months back launched his Praja Rajyam party that is all set to change the state’s politics once again. With Dr.Chiranjeevi expected to have a stronghold in coastal Andhra, both the Congress and TDP may find it difficult to gain power in the 2009 elections.