Chiranjeevi turns a politician, finally.

By Desaraju Surya
Hyderabad: Telugu Mega Star Chiranjeevi has finally turned a politician on Sunday after having kept everyone guessing for over 10 months now.
He has formally announced his entry into the political arena but reserved the launch of his yet-unnamed political party for August 26, the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa. A mammoth public meeting is being organized in Tirupati on August 26 where Chiranjeevi’s party will formally be launched.
He is the second film star after the late legendary Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, aka NTR, to launch his own political party in Andhra Pradesh. Of course, Chiranjeevi pales in comparison with NTR in every respect.
“This is an unforgettable day in my life, a day that has altered the course of my life. I am dedicating myself to the service of the people of Andhra Pradesh,”Chiranjeevi announced at a crowded press conference at his new party office in Hyderabad. It was a wonderful opportunity given by the people to serve them.
Claiming that his party would be “different” with a “pro-poor” agenda, Chiranjeevi said uplift of the poor and ensuring a better life for them would top his priorities.
“Former President A P J Abdul Kalam was the driving force behind my decision to enter politics. It would have been a historic blunder had I shied away from taking the political plunge,” Chiranjeevi said, adding that the late N T Rama Rao too had inspired him to take up public service.
“I am entering the political field with the only objective of serving the people and not with any ambition of securing power,” the Mega Star declared. The “shift” (from tinsel town to the murky world of politics) also gave him self-satisfaction.
Observing that it was a new role that he has chosen, Chiranjeevi said there was no scope for any action in politics. “I have to literally live up to the role,” he said.
Noting that he had no “political rivals” in the state, the actor-turned-politician remarked that everybody had inspired him in one way or the other. “Poverty and hunger are my rivals,” he said. When questioned about his “inexperience” in politics, Chiranjeevi said people were his teachers and he would learn from them.
On controversial issues like demand for a separate Telangana state, the actor said his party would discuss such “sensitive” issues threadbare and come out with a clear stand soon.
Reacting to the observation that he was too “sensitive” a person, Chiranjeevi remarked: “Sensitiveness is my asset. I can appreciate people’s problems better.”
Asked if he was a leftist or a rightist, he replied: “I am a humanist. Mine is humanism.”
On whether he had called it quits to films, Chiranjeevi said: “It’s a shift from the film world but I shall like to do roles that are educative and useful for the society.”
From where would he contest the next election? “It is for the people to decide. People from all regions of the state love me, so it’s difficult for me to choose a particular constituency,” Chiranjeevi replied.
Now, the focus shift’s to the Tirupati public meeting where the party’s name and agenda will be announced. The party’s flag will also be unveiled on the occasion.