Victory of Prajayam – Hight Court Roadshow Verdict

Praja Rajyam Chief Chiranjeevi

Hyderabad, Dec. 30: The Praja Rajyam has welcomed the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s verdict on road shows. The PR spokesperson, Mr Parakala Prabhakar, claimed that though the government brought the law to prevent tried to impose a ban on road shows to prevent Chiranjeevi from meeting people, the High Court has delivered justice.

“It is the victory of democracy. Nobody can stop us from meeting the public,” he said. The PR leaders said the recent stay order issued by the High Court over road shows had come as a body blow to the party which drew huge crowd through the road shows in north Andhra, north Telangana and Rayalaseema.

However, some PR leaders feel that it would be difficult for Chiranjeevi to address road shows in accordance with the latest directives of the court. “As there are so many conditions to conduct road shows, it is not easy for us. The government has formulated the rules only to book cases against us during the road shows. We have to think twice before conducting road shows,” said an aide of Chiranjeevi.

The PR top brass is now dithering over whether to go for road shows or to hold mini public meetings in the next leg of Chiranjeevi’s tour that will cover Nellore and Prakasam districts from January 4 to 10.

Praja Rajyam perceived flaws about Chandra Babu Naidu

December 30, 2008 – HYDERABAD: Irked by the criticism levelled by other parties that Praja Rajyam was founded and run by an actor, party spokespersons Kotagiri Vidyadhara Rao and C. Ramachandraiah on Tuesday dared the Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu to launch a party of his own without people from the film industry.

At a press conference, the two PR leaders reminded Mr. Naidu that he had also joined a party founded by the late NTR, an actor himself. They wondered why the TDP chief was busy wooing the entire Nandamuri clan, including actors Balakrishna, Harikrishna, Taraka Rama Rao and others to rally behind him. Mr. Rao reminded the TDP president how as a Congressman he had proclaimed that he would contest against his father-in-law but took a ‘U’ turn and joined the TDP. They wondered why Mr. Naidu held actors in such ‘low esteem’, when he himself was wooing tinsel town personalities to campaign for the TDP.

Meanwhile, at an informal interaction with media, PR president K. Chiranjeevi dropped enough hints to suggest that the party was ‘open’ to alliances as also to welcoming leaders from other parties who were interested in joining the PR for its ‘social justice’ agenda.

Chiru seeks common symbol for Praja Rajyam

Mega Star Chiranjeevi & Siva Shankar - After meeting Election Comission Officials at New Delhi

December 29, 2008 – NEW DELHI: Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi met Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswamy here on Monday and sought a common election symbol for his party, registered as a State party, in all the constituencies it proposes to contest.

He claimed that late actor-politician N.T. Rama Rao was given such a common symbol (cycle) after he presented a petition to the Commission in person though his party was only a registered party then. So was the case of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (car).

Issue of identity
The common symbol would help identity Praja Rajyam during elections as against free symbols, which differ in every constituency, creating confusion among the voters, he told the Commission. He was accompanied senior party man and former Union Minister P. Shiv Shankar.

Meanwhile, Election Commission sources said that Mr. Chiranjeevi had been informed that the Commission would examine his request and the final decision would be conveyed in a few days.

Mr. Chiranjeevi, who visited Delhi for the first time after he launched his party, told mediapersons that his party would be open for alliance only with secular parties, though no final decision has yet been taken on this issue. He ruled out the possibility of tying up with the BJP before elections.

Optimistic
What would he do if two different combinations of parties won polls in Andhra Pradesh? To this, he said, he would go according to the interests of the State. He was confident that the PR would win not less than 225 out of 294 Assembly seats in A.P.

250 former naxals joins Praja Rajyam

Naxalism not a law and order problem: Praja Rajyam spokesperson Dr. P. Mitra

December 29, 2008 – GUNTUR:The Praja Rajyam Party inducted 250 former naxalites into its grassroots-level cadre in the presence of party core group member Mitra at a small function organised at Perecherla on the outskirts of Guntur city.

At the predominantly stone mining town, under small sheds some former naxalites, who are being allegedly harassed for their earlier association with the party, chose to join hands with PRP leader Chiranjeevi as they wished to bring a ‘Change’ in a peaceful manner, which was not possible through the current dispensation.

Addressing the gathering Mr.Mitra said that naxalism was not a Law and Order problem but a complicated social problem that was not addressed so far. “We promise to take up this problem once we come to power and address the root cause of the naxalism rather than tackling it with State Police Power,” he explained.

The party would take help of these former naxalites to identify problems at the grassroots level to find solutions and give them good role in the formation of mandal level and Assembly constituency level committees.

Earlier, speaking at the party district office at Arundelpet, he quashed the rumours that there were differences among the party men while organisational appointments were being made and pointed out that it was a common phenomenon with all political parties to see some of their disgruntled elements going out for not getting a position.

On pre-poll truck with Bharateeya Janata Party he rejected that there was any such possibility, Mr. Mitra said. Local leader Snkrotti Rama Rao, Kilaru Roshaiah and others attended the meeting at district office.

Praja Rajyam chief calls for futuristic urban planning

December 28, 2008 – HYDERABAD:Criticises eviction of people from Bhimraowada slum | Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi on Saturday criticised the State government for poor urban planning and accused those in power of not keeping in mind the interests of the teeming lakhs who migrated to the State capital in search of jobs.

Mega Star Chiranjeevi at ‘Praja Ankita Sabha’ at Kushaiguda, Hyderabad.

Addressing a well-attended ‘Praja Ankita Sabha’ at Kushaiguda on the outskirts, his third since Friday in Ranga Reddy district, he said that a government that claimed to be dedicated to the welfare of the poor and the middle classes, was only duping them by using them as vote banks and working for the rich and the privileged.

The Praja Rajyam leader took objection to the way in which people at Bhimraowada were evicted on Friday night and said the government had chosen the timing because the victims would not have access to courts on Saturday and Sunday. “Is this a government for the poor and the underprivileged?”

Cites Singapore model
He regretted ‘lack of coordination’ between different urban planning and implementation bodies and said corruption too was the reason for the lack of cohesion. “Look at Singapore, where planning is done for a minimum of 25 years around every aspect of an urban area – be it the growth in population, number of vehicles and infrastructure required.

Mr. Chiranjeevi addressed another well-attended public meeting at the Circus Ground near Kamineni Hospital on the Ring Road in LB Nagar. Around both the venues, normal traffic was disrupted as thousands of people parked their vehicles in haphazard fashion, giving the police a tough time.

Chiranjeevi talks tough on State Government

Houseful: Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi at a public meeting in Kukatpally on Friday.

December 26, 2008, HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi on Friday charged the State government with robbing Andhra Pradesh of precious mineral resources.

Addressing a packed gathering at a ground in Kukatpally Housing Board Phase III as part of his ‘Praja Ankitha Sabha’ programme in Ranga Reddy district, he launched a broadside against corruption in practically every government programme and cited the goings-on in Obulapuram mines in Anantapur district as an example.

He said that an estimated Rs. 4.5 crore was earned by the Obulapuram Mining Corporation everyday, while it was paying a pittance to the government as mining cess. With a month’s earnings of the corporation, he said, every primary health centre in the State could be revamped and adequately stocked with medicines.

Likewise, if corruption in high places was curbed, he said, everything that could not be done now with cramped fiscal resources could be achieved. For example, he said, with a mere Rs. 450 crore, social welfare hostels could be well-equipped to make students of the weaker sections comfortable enough for them to study well and perform better.

He told the predominantly middle-class gathering in one of Asia’s largest housing colonies that all they needed was a good job, a roof over their heads that they could call their own, education for their children and healthcare facilities. “For any government, providing these basic facilities is not a big deal. But it is not happening due to vote-bank politics and alarming levels of corruption. I promise to change all that when the Praja Rajyam comes to power,” he affirmed.

Overwhelmed by the cheering crowds, Mr. Chiranjeevi became ‘megastar’ for a while towards the end. Telling them he was being “imprisoned in their hearts”, he asked them what it meant and pat came the roaring response ‘Khaidi’ (prisoner) referring to a hugely-popular film of his in the past.

The crowds were so large that it took the Praja Rajyam leader’s ‘ratham’ about half-an-hour to navigate through them, towards Qutbullapur, where he addressed another meeting.

Praja Rajyam Patriotic Gesture

FOR A CAUSE: Praja Rajyam youth wing president and actor Pawan Kalyan with freedom fighters in Hyderabad on Thursday.

December 26, 2008: Praja Rajyam leader Pawan Kalyan on Thursday announced a donation of Rs. 25,000 to a group of freedom fighters towards organising a seminar ‘Desi Bhakti, Yuva Sakthi’ at Nizamabad on December 31.

The freedom fighters met and invited him to the seminar which was aimed at inculcating patriotism in the youth. Later talking to reporters, Ramakrishna Buddhist, president of AP Freedom Fighters Association, said they were not supporting any party but wanted everybody to know the history of Telangana, particularly the fight against autocratic rule of the Nizam. They said they wanted separate Telangana State so that the people of the region could rule themselves.

They also urged Mr. Pawan Kalyan to visit Parkal in Warangal, where they said Razakars had massacred 360 people on September 2, 1948.

Chiranjeevi claims space of third alternative in AP

Golden words: An elderly woman blessing Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi during his Praja Ankita Sabha in Patancheru on Monday, 22 Dec 08..

SANGAREDDY: Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi here on Monday claimed that they were the third alternative to the ruling party and the Opposition in the State.

The PR president, for the first time, claimed the space for the third alternative in the State, a slot which was hitherto claimed by the Left parties. Addressing Praja Ankita Sabha meetings at Patancheru and Sangareddy, the first in the series in Medak district, Mr. Chiranjeevi said that both the ruling party and the Opposition were worried about the entry of another party into the political arena and were not in a position to digest this.

Stating that change was the need of the hour, he claimed that this was possible and he could show it indeed.

“Your Chiranjeevi has no regional differences. My life is dedicated to the people,” he said emotionally urging people to have belief in his sincerity and commitment. Referring to the success of his road shows in Coastal Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema, the PR president said that those who were unhappy over the success of his yatras had approached the court and got a stay on the road shows, which he would abide by, he said.

Touches on pollution
Trying to identify himself with the local issues, Mr. Chiranjeevi compared the pollution in the district to that of the corruption in politics. “You are experiencing the worst form of pollution in the district. The corruption of the public representatives led to the pollution. Remove the pollution in politics by allowing fresh water,” he urged the people, suggesting them not to get carried away by the schemes being announced by the government.

Devender Goud meets Chiranjeevi

Coming closer: Nava Telangana Party leaders T. Devender Goud and E. Peddi Reddy greeting PR president Chiranjeevi

HYDERABAD, 22 Dec 2008: Nava Telangana Party (NTP) president T. Devender Goud on Sunday called on his Praja Rajyam counterpart Chiranjeevi, apparently to explore the possibility of forging an alliance between the two parties for the Assembly elections.

Accompanied by his senior colleague, E. Peddi Reddy, Mr. Goud held consultations with the PR leader at the Praja Rajyam office for nearly one-and-a-half hours. At the end of the talks, the NTP president told mediapersons that they did not discuss alliances as there was no urgency in it since elections were far away. He came down to express solidarity with Chiranjeevi for his stand on Telangana and social justice.

Merger move denied
Mr. Goud denied any move to merge NTP with Praja Rajyam and said the parties decided to work together on issues where they shared common ground. Otherwise, the parties would pursue their respective programmes on their own.

Welcoming the talks for an alliance between the Praja Rajyam and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Mr. Goud appealed to the TRS to take them to their logical conclusion. The NTP would not give room for a dispute on the number of seats to be contested. In response to questions from reporters, Mr. Goud advised them to observe patience as it was not the end of the day between the NTP and Praja Rajyam.

‘Talks to continue’
Mr. Chiranjeevi said the meeting with Mr. Goud did not mean calling off talks with the TRS. They would continue. He described Mr. Goud as an experienced leader with whom he enjoyed a good rapport even before the Praja Rajyam took birth. Mr. Goud met him to offer his best wishes.

Meanwhile, the official spokesman of Praja Rajyam V.G.R. Naragoni convened a meeting of his supporters separately in the background of reports that he was distancing himself from the party. Mr. Naragoni said he was trying to mount pressure on the party to do justice to the Backward Classes in the distribution of tickets but Chiranjeevi warned him that he was liable to disciplinary action.

Vangaveeti Radha joins PRP

New innings: Legislator Vangaveeti Radhakrishna being greeted by Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad on Sunday. Also seen is party youth winging president Pavan Kalyan.

22 December 2008:  The Congress MLA of Vijayawada (East) Vangaveeti Radhakrishna on Sunday resigned from the party and joined the Praja Rajyam in the presence of its president Chiranjeevi. 

Mr. Radhakrishna trained his guns on another Congress MLA from Krishna district Devineni Rajasekhar while announcing his decision to join the Praja Rajyam at its office here.

He told mediapersons that the Congress leadership is biased towards a few individuals to whom it grants benefits. Mr. Rajasekhar is also among them, he alleged.

Incidentally, the bitter rivalry between Mr. Radhakrishna and Mr. Rajasekhar spilled over on the floor of Assembly earlier this year.

A land dispute between them triggered an angry outburst from Mr. Radhakrishna in the House.

Youngest legislator:
Son of former Congress MLA Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga who was hacked to death by his political rivals in Vijayawada in 1988, Mr. Radhakrishna was the youngest legislator to be elected to the present term of Assembly in 2004.

He said he endured pain even as the Congress took decisions that went against him. The Congress leadership overlooked him though his father made supreme sacrifice for the party, he said.

Chiranjeevi said the entry of Mr. Radhakrishna into Praja Rajyam reflects the growing popularity of the party after its youth wing – Yuva Rajyam – was activated.

Close relationship:
He added that he was closely associated with Mohana Ranga until the latter’s death. Ranga used to watch his film shootings at locations as far as Jammu and Kashmir and often praised his hard work that helped him make a career in films on his own, Chiranjeevi added.

He also said Ranga advised him to enter politics at a stage when he had not even turned his attention to it.

The bond between his and Ranga’s family is once again built with Mr. Radhakrishna joining the party, he said.