Late comer Pawan to throw a party today

HYDERABAD: Tollywood star and Union Minister K Chiranjeevi's brother Pawan Kalyan will launch his political party, Jana Sena, and broadcast his philosophy from Novotel here in Madhapur at 6 p.m. on Friday.

On the eve of his much-hyped political arangetram, the maverick actor hinted that he could be in for a long haul ' unlike his brother who had merged his party, Praja Rajyam, with the Congress months after the 2009 general elections.

'Jana Sena will not be a flash in the pan. It will not be just another political party intended to grab power... but will voice people's frustration,' he said in a press release Thursday.

He went on to explain, 'Jana Sena should not be seen in isolation from society. Society generally detests politicians and for good reason, but they are people who are coming from amongst us.

One must not shirk the responsibility everyone of us have in creating right political leaders and environment.' However, as he was busy preparing himself to step into the shoes of a neta, differences within the 'mega family' came to the fore with his brother Naga Babu distancing himself from his youngest brother.

'We know how hard our eldest brother Chiranjeevi struggled. He showed us the royal road. We are what we are today, because of him,' he said, adding, 'those who want to be with Pawan Kalyan are free do so but we and our fans will stand by Chiranjeevi.'

A few days ago, Chiru's son and actor Ram Charan Tej had also said much the same. If family differences weren't enough, Pawan had another setback Thursday with the Election Commission making it clear it might take at least six months to register his new party.

As Pawan had applied for registration of his Jana Sena just last Monday, there is no way the party could be registered at short notice and as such, there is no way a common symbol could be allotted to it. This means Pawan candidates will have to contest as independents on different symbols.

Pawan's managers are making elaborate arrangements for telecasting the launch of his party live across the State. They are setting up giant screens in 18 major towns and cities. He is expected to speak for about an hour at the Novotel where passes will be issued Friday morning for about 3,000 people.

The police said only 3,000 people with passes will be allowed into the venue. They also made it clear that since the model code of conduct is in force, the expenditure for the meet would be considered as poll expenditure.