Class Action

To say that the launch of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi's political party, Praja Rajyam, had all the trappings of the 150 odd films he has done in his career will be a gross understatement. On two aspects, that he knows best, his launch had outdone his films- in scale and drama. It had the epic scale of Cecil De B Mille's Ben Hur. Chiranjeevi sent a clear message to his political adversaries yesterday that he has the ability to pull and draw hundreds and thousands of people from across the length and the coast of the state, something only south Indian actors are endowed with. But among all of them who have taken a plunge into politics, Chiranjeevi's magnetism for drawing huge crowds has been the best so far.

The venue was symbolic in all political sense and sensibilities. It was on this Avilala Tank ground that the 1992 AICC plenary was held. Against the backdrop of a deafening roar, Chiranjeevi asked a physically challenged youth to unveil the party's white and green flag with a blazing sun in the centre.

His speech, running into two hours, was almost like watching one of his films except that it was a monologue. He said he wanted to fight political corruption at the top as it was the fountainhead of graft. Importantly, he said his party will be committed to socialism and empowerment of the poor and downtrodden. My party belongs to women, backward classes, farmers, workers and youth, he said. While touching upon almost all pressing problems confronting the state, he said he would do a scientific assessment of all them before arriving at solutions. His rally posters had Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jyotiba Phule clearly indicating on which side of the social spectrum he stands.

Going by initial commentaries, he plans to unsettle the Congress and TDP bases in coastal Andhra, where he has powerful grip. The Left parties, Telangana Rasthriya Samithi and BJP have erupted already sprung up to say they are open to future alliances provided Chiru's agenda is in sync with theirs. Going by the spectacle of the launch and the cinematic spell he holds over Andhra Pradesh, it is not upto the BJP to decide but it will be upto PR to decide who to embrace and hold hands with.

He has even advocated sensitive handling of the Telengana issue and Naxalism in the state, something that his political adversaries have so far found it challenging.

His rise to stardom, like his dear friend Rajinikanth, is something that is stuff of movies and legends. Where else can you find the son of a constable rising to a superstar but in our movies? And now he has used the very same stardom and the support of his fans to launch his party. My parents looked after me for 22 years, but you have carried me for 30 years on your shoulders. Therefore, I wanted to play a bigger role in ushering a change in your lives, he said in almost a melodramatic fashion.

Critics have been swift in rubbishing his poverty stricken past and his spartan claims after the launch of the party. They must have quivered, shuddered at the thought of the sea of humanity who came in waves to see their matinee idol.

The Congress responded by saying PR will not have any effect on the party in the state rather it will affect the spoils of TDP. He had already met senior BJP leader LK Advani. The state unit has already asked the actor turned politician to come clear on Telengana issue as though he has been running the state's political affairs for donkey's years.

It would be appropriate to see how he performs than to speculate which way will Chiranjeevi swing. What is to be seen is whether the sea of humanity can be translated into votes.

During an election rally the DMK supremo, Karunanidhi had once said if only his supporters who gathered to listen to his speeches came to vote. That would apply for Chiranjeevi as well. Till then he can enjoy his new role.