08-28-2008, 01:21 AM
More on Chiranjeevi's new political party.
From Pioneer, 28 Aug., 2008
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Blockbuster rally </b>
The Pioneer Edit Desk
<b>Chiranjeevi will shake up Andhra politics</b>
Irrespective of how he fares in the hurly-burly of electoral politics whose dynamics are not determined by charisma alone, it must be conceded that Telugu cinema's superstar Chiranjeevi has made a blockbuster of an arrival on the political scene. <b>Tuesday's rally in Tirupati was both a demonstration of his huge fan-following and the organisational abilities of his aides -- mobilising five lakh people (Chiranjeev's loyalists claim at least 10 lakh people turned out for the rally) for a public meeting in this day and age is no mean achievement</b>. Seasoned politicians and senior leaders would be delirious with joy if 50,000 people were to attend their public rallies; a turnout of 10,000 is considered a commendable success. But, it would be incorrect to assume that the adoring crowds who jammed the rally ground in Tirupati on Tuesday are a definitive or reliable indicator of what lies ahead for Praja Rajyam Party and Chiranjeevi. Making the transition from being a reel life hero who is worshipped by millions of people to a real life politician is not an easy task. Others have tried to emulate MG Ramachandran and failed, though NT Rama Rao was stunningly successful, although only a lakh of his fans turned up for the Telugu Desam Party's inaugural rally in March 1982; he was no less a star than Chiranjeevi. Yet, it would be in order to suggest that given the caste appeal of Chiranjeevi, the Kapus, whose political loyalty till now was evenly divided between the Congress and the TDP, will gravitate towards Praja Rajyam Party. <b>Coupled with his pan-Andhra Pradesh popularity and increasing cynicism with the established political order, which has been tested and found to have failed in matching popular expectations, this is bound to create a certain turmoil in the State's politics.</b> The Reddys will no doubt remain with the Congress and the Kammas with the TDP -- the BJP is a marginal player and really does not matter any more in Andhra Pradesh -- but this by itself is unlikely to ensure status quo: What was till now bipolar politics will become a triangular contest for power. Chiranjeevi may not taste outright, over-riding victory over his rivals, but he will surely inflict serious, or even fatal, injury. <b>It is anybody's guess as to which side, the Congress or the TDP, will suffer the most casualties.</b>
That apart, there is no reason to be impressed by Chiranjeevi's political agenda -- others have talked of self-pride, regional aspirations, poverty elimination (not alleviation), and taking a kindly view of those who indulge in violence, in this case Maoists. There's nothing novel about paying obeissance to BR Ambedkar, MK Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Jyotiba Phule through vote-for-me posters either. <b>Where Chiranjeevi scores is that he is yet to be tested; tired of both the Congress and the TDP, voters may elect to give him and his Praja Rajyam Party a chance. With Mr Chandrababu Naidu floundering for a political platform that carries conviction and the Congress suffering from anti-incumbency, Chiranjeevi could make a dent.</b> The last time Andhra Pradesh resounded with clamour for change was after NT Rama Rao's simha garjan (lion's roar, nothing less would do for him). This time a different kind of declaration of war has been made; for the moment, we must wait for the Congress and the TDP to join battle. It would be an interesting fight for power and spoils of office.
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From Pioneer, 28 Aug., 2008
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Blockbuster rally </b>
The Pioneer Edit Desk
<b>Chiranjeevi will shake up Andhra politics</b>
Irrespective of how he fares in the hurly-burly of electoral politics whose dynamics are not determined by charisma alone, it must be conceded that Telugu cinema's superstar Chiranjeevi has made a blockbuster of an arrival on the political scene. <b>Tuesday's rally in Tirupati was both a demonstration of his huge fan-following and the organisational abilities of his aides -- mobilising five lakh people (Chiranjeev's loyalists claim at least 10 lakh people turned out for the rally) for a public meeting in this day and age is no mean achievement</b>. Seasoned politicians and senior leaders would be delirious with joy if 50,000 people were to attend their public rallies; a turnout of 10,000 is considered a commendable success. But, it would be incorrect to assume that the adoring crowds who jammed the rally ground in Tirupati on Tuesday are a definitive or reliable indicator of what lies ahead for Praja Rajyam Party and Chiranjeevi. Making the transition from being a reel life hero who is worshipped by millions of people to a real life politician is not an easy task. Others have tried to emulate MG Ramachandran and failed, though NT Rama Rao was stunningly successful, although only a lakh of his fans turned up for the Telugu Desam Party's inaugural rally in March 1982; he was no less a star than Chiranjeevi. Yet, it would be in order to suggest that given the caste appeal of Chiranjeevi, the Kapus, whose political loyalty till now was evenly divided between the Congress and the TDP, will gravitate towards Praja Rajyam Party. <b>Coupled with his pan-Andhra Pradesh popularity and increasing cynicism with the established political order, which has been tested and found to have failed in matching popular expectations, this is bound to create a certain turmoil in the State's politics.</b> The Reddys will no doubt remain with the Congress and the Kammas with the TDP -- the BJP is a marginal player and really does not matter any more in Andhra Pradesh -- but this by itself is unlikely to ensure status quo: What was till now bipolar politics will become a triangular contest for power. Chiranjeevi may not taste outright, over-riding victory over his rivals, but he will surely inflict serious, or even fatal, injury. <b>It is anybody's guess as to which side, the Congress or the TDP, will suffer the most casualties.</b>
That apart, there is no reason to be impressed by Chiranjeevi's political agenda -- others have talked of self-pride, regional aspirations, poverty elimination (not alleviation), and taking a kindly view of those who indulge in violence, in this case Maoists. There's nothing novel about paying obeissance to BR Ambedkar, MK Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Jyotiba Phule through vote-for-me posters either. <b>Where Chiranjeevi scores is that he is yet to be tested; tired of both the Congress and the TDP, voters may elect to give him and his Praja Rajyam Party a chance. With Mr Chandrababu Naidu floundering for a political platform that carries conviction and the Congress suffering from anti-incumbency, Chiranjeevi could make a dent.</b> The last time Andhra Pradesh resounded with clamour for change was after NT Rama Rao's simha garjan (lion's roar, nothing less would do for him). This time a different kind of declaration of war has been made; for the moment, we must wait for the Congress and the TDP to join battle. It would be an interesting fight for power and spoils of office.
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