Chiru's New Strategy

s the launch of film actor Chiranjeevi’s political party draws closer, his managers are busy zeroing in on a ‘safe’ constituency for him to make a ‘grand entry’ into the portals of the Assembly in 2009.

Among options being actively considered are Palacole in West Godavari district, where his father-in-law and character actor, late Allu Ramalingaiah was domicile. It is also on the scanner because of the sizeable ‘Kapu’ population and the people’s response to the meeting addressed by the star’s brother K. Nagendra Babu.

In fact, Mr. Chiranjeevi’s inner circle is mulling the option of doing an NTR by contesting from one seat each from the three regions to drive home the point that his popularity spans the entire State. In their reckoning are one constituency either in Nizamabad or Karimnagar district in Telangana, and Tirupati Assembly segment or some other in Anantapur district.
Telugu Mahila president Roja, who co-starred the actor in the box office hit, ‘Mutha Maistry’, has declared that she was prepared to contest against the megastar. Ms. Roja had unsuccessfully contested from Nagari in Chittoor district on a TDP ticket in the 2004 Assembly elections.

Meetings

Meanwhile, party work too is picking up momentum and it is learnt that Mr. Chiranjeevi is holding meetings every night with the core planners including Mr. Nagendra Babu, brother-in-law Allu Aravind and advisors P. Mitra and A.P. Vittal and T.V. Rao.
When contacted, Dr. Mitra declined to divulge any details saying that none in the party was authorised to speak on policy issues and even about politics.

Sources said Dr. Mitra had dropped his proposed visit to the United States to mobilise the support of non-resident Telugus for Mr. Chiranjeevi in the North Eastern States including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut by holding a meeting at The Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey. He is now leaving for London on urgent personal work and is likely to address them through video-conference.