Ending the waiting game, Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi is likely to launch his party in June, soon after the by-elections in the Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh. In an attempt to woo the Left, which has support base in pockets in the state, he might also announce a strong position against ??communalism?? at the state and national levels.
Chiranjeevi?s decision was conveyed to the state CPM leadership by the film star?s close aide Puchalapalli Mitra last week, the Left leaders said here on Wednesday. Mitra had been holding discussions with both the CPM and CPI state leaders in the state for the last couple of months as an emissary of the Chiranjeevi camp. He also sought the CPM?s help to build an alliance for the ??common interest of the poor and downtrodden?? in the state. He also told the Left leaders that the ??preparatory works?? for the formation of the party is also in its last lap and will be completed by the month-end.
??We have no objection in Chiranjeevi or any oneelse floating a party. But for an alliance, we think there should be some qualities, the first one being a strong stand against the communal BJP,?? said CPIM?s central secretariat member V Sreeniva Rao. He also confirmed that Mitra was in touch with the state leadership. ??Discussions are on. Let?s see how it develops,?? Rao told FE.
Sources indicated that the new outfit will oppose BJP at the national level and will have an understanding with the Left. Political observers feel that given the good image the CPM has in Andhra, Chiranjeevi may not act against the Left?s wishes at Delhi also. The TDP and the Congress were also trying to improve their relations with the CPM in the state. But majority in the CPM are for finding a ??third alternative?? in the state.
The Left leadership has also reportedly asked Chiranjeevi?s associates to make public their stand on separate Telengana state. The CPM is opposing the formation of a separate Telengana state.
There are indications that Chiranjeevi?s Telengana policy will be based on the by-poll results in the state. If TRS maintains its earlier tally in comfortable margin, Chiranjeevi might support the Telengana formation to find a vote base in the region. Otherwise, they might take a “neutral stand” on the issue as the Congress and the TDP are doing.