With the prospects of megastar Chiranjeevi (fondly called Chiru) entering politics almost certain, leaders in the Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) appear to be burning midnight oil holding secret deliberations within their parties, especially as leaders of the Kapu community (to which Chiru belongs) in both the parties are said to be weighing the option of either joining Chiranjeevi?s new party or staying put.
Although the popular actor has asked his fan following to exercise restraint till he formally makes an announcement, the gossip mill claims that Allu Arvind, Chiru?s brother-in-law and a successful film producer, along with two other film personalities, is preparing the blueprint for his new role .
The group-of-three has already approached Kapu leaders in all major political parties, in private, to assess the situation. Besides they are working out ways to generate funds for the proposed political party. ?There is no dearth for funds, the actor?s NRI fans have been sending feelers that once Chiru announces the party, the funds will flow? sources said.
Political observers say the ace actor has been waiting for an opportune time to enter politics for quite some time. That time, he feels, has come. ?Now people are clearly looking for alternative? , as they are vexed with Cngress rule and disillusioned with the way the main opposition party (TDP) is behaving?, say political observers.
The fear of Chiru?s entry is palpable in political parties in the state. For instance, Kapu leaders in the Congress, including ministers, have met at the Congress legislature party office to discuss the course of action.
?It may be an individual decision to stay at the present party or to join Chiru?s party. But there is hulchul among the political parties and leaders, irrespective of their levels,? a senior Congress leader told FE.
Responding to the situation, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy said he (Chiru) was welcome into Congress. It (Chiru joining politics) may alter the political equation in the state, but would not deter the prospects of Congress, he added.
TDP president Chandrababu Naidu, though welcomed Chiru?s entry into politics, tried to hold his leaders and cadres together ?When we were in power, I had to concentrate on the administration and neglected the party (a bit). But now I (would) like to be close to all my party members, including those at the lowest level,? he said at the recently held extended TDP executive meeting.
Backward community members, the backbone of TDP, and its leaders are getting feelers from Chiru?s contacts to join the new party. Sources said middlemen were trying to woo first-line TDP leaders, such as
Devender Goud, Yerran Naidu, C Ramachandraiah and KE Krishnamurthy. Meanwhile, the non-political backward community leaders, like Krishnaiah, have announced their unconditional support to Chiranjeevi and his new party.
Amid all these happennings, one thing is for sure. If Chiranjeevi enters politics, the political spectrum will undergo a change not only in Andhra Pradesh, but nationally.