17 August :Ending a year-long speculation, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on Sunday announced his entry into politics and said pro-poor policies and social justice will be his party’s main agenda.
The name, party flag and agenda of the new party will be unveiled at the first public meeting to be held at the temple town of Tirupati on 26th August.Addressing a crowded press conference at his party office in posh Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, the 53-year-old actor said he had decided to enter politics to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor and bring about transformation in society.
Keeping his options open on future alliances, Chiranjeevi said the question of electoral tie-ups would be considered at a later stage.While asserting that there was a political vacuum in the state, he, however, said he has no rivals.
"Poverty and backwardness are my enemies. I will fight against them," he said.The popular hero said former President A P J Abdul Kalam had inspired him to take the political plunge.
"I would have committed a historical blunder had I not entered politics," Chiranjeevi said.On issues like Telangana statehood demand and naxalism, he parried the questions and said his party would take a collective decision after thorough debate and objective analysis of the problems.
As hundreds of his fans burst crackers outside his residence, Chiranjeevi, whose political foray had already triggered desertions from Congress and TDP, said he has no rivals in politics.
With the pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, Mother Theresa and Jyothirao Phule forming the backdrop of the podium, Chiranjeevi, clad in white dress, spoke about his film career and social service activities and narrated instances that inspired him to join politics.
In a voice choked with emotion, he said, "as an actor for the last three decades, I am blessed with immense love and affection of the people. From now on, my life will be dedicated to their welfare."
Dismissing the talk of his lack of political experience, he, who runs a hugely popular blood bank, said, "I may be ignorant about politics and I may not be an expert on blood groups. But, I know donating blood can save human lives. I can empathise with people and I have passion for solving their problems."
Chiranjeevi, son of an excise constable who made it big in the tinsel world, said he was not hankering after power or positions but was entering politics to work for the uplift of the deprived.
Asked why he was taking to politics when there are already two major players with strong vote banks, he said, "People want change and betterment of their living standards. I will offer that change and I will approach their problems with a fresh and different approach."
Jogaiah quits Congress, MP post to join Chiranjeevi
Congress MP from Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh, C Harirama Jogaiah, on Sunday quit the party and Lok Sabha membership to join Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s new party.
Jogaiah, who has been openly associating himself with the Chiranjeevi camp for long, resigned from the party soon after the film star announced his entry into politics.
According to party sources, the Congress leader sent in his resignation letter to Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
Jogaiah had already announced in the past that he would leave Congress once Chiranjeevi takes the political plunge.
BJP gives guarded response to Chirajeevi’s party
The BJP gave a guarded response to Telgu superstar Chiranjeevi’s plan to enter politics, saying its impact on Andhra Pradesh scenario could be assessed only after the actor announced policies and programmes of his party.
"Let’s see," senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in Bangalore on Sunday when asked about the impact of the megastar’s party in the state.
"He (Chiranjeevi) is a popular actor no doubt", Naidu said but added that for any political party, it is the policies and programmes that are important. Courtsey DDINEWS
annayya. . . wish u the best.
we “The Army” is with you.
Rama
Abudhabi-UAE
Chiranjeevi wish u good luck.
Sandeep
Mumbai