The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mega party raises many queries

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mega party raises many queries

R.Jagadeeswara Rao

Chiranjeevi likely to launch his party at Itchapuram

SRIKAKAULAM: The news of film star Chiranajeevi launching his party at Itchapuram (there is also a feeling that it will be Arasavilli, the abode of Sun God) in Srikakulam district has evoked all-round enthusiasm.

As TV channels came out with details of the party’s name, symbol, flag and agenda, discussions on the possible impact reached a feverish pitch. Srikakualm district was once a Congress bastion. But with the arrival of N.T.Rama Rao on to the political arena, the scene turned in his favour.

In the elections in 1983,1985 and even in 1989 (when Congress captured power at the State level) and in 1994 and 1999 the number of Assembly seats that the Congress bagged never crossed three out of the 12 in the district. The fortunes turned the Congress way only in 2004 Assembly elections in which it secured seven seats.

NTR magic

Will Chiranjeevi repeat the NTR magic in the district be interesting to watch. It is generally agreed that the proposed party will cause dents to the vote banks of the Congress and the TDP, but which will take more beating is being discussed.

A senior TDP leader observed that 40 per cent of leaders from the TDP and 20 per cent from the Congress would cross over to the new party.

Gorle Haribabi Naidu, MLC and ZP vice-chairman Duvvada Srinivas of the Congress and former municipal chairman Andhavarapu Varahanarasihm alias Varam of the TDP have been suspended from their respective parties. Will these leaders find a place in new party and will Chiranjeevi encourage ‘disgruntled’ leaders of other parties remain nagging questions.

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