The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Chiranjeevi’s aides quietly at work

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Chiranjeevi’s aides quietly at work

Suresh Krishnamoorthy

The star keeps himself behind an ‘iron curtain’ that can be crossed only by close aides

- PHOTO : Satish. H

In focus: Geeta Arts office in Hyderabad, which belongs to Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law Allu Arvind, is the meeting point for aspirants.

HYDERABAD: Even as political parties are grappling with measures to control the damage caused by the exodus of leaders, film actor Chiranjeevi seems to be quietly busy with the consolidation of his party and handling logistic issues.

The star himself is keeping himself behind an ‘iron curtain’ that can be crossed only by a handful of close aides and senior politicians from other parties who plan to join him.

The hub of visible activity is the office of Geeta Arts, a film production house belonging to the star’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind.

Daily, scores of people from across the State make their way to Road No. 45 in Banjara Hills.

Anyone walking in, is given a two page, back-to-back form titled ‘Office entry Form’ that those interested are required to fill, with personal details along with a passport sized photograph.

Apart from the public contact programmes handled by the actor’s brother K. Nagendra Babu and close aide Dr. Mithra, an organisation called SPARC, an acronym for Socio-Political Analysis and Research Centre, is working behind-the-scenes.

It conducts meetings with different groups of people and organisations across a cross-section of society who wish to join the party.

While T.V. Rao is the State convenor of SPARC, two doctors including Dr. Mithra and Dr. A.P. Vittal are designated co-convenors.

The trio is responsible for feedback analysis, identification of key resource persons, including those the party could use as leaders and facilitate meetings with Mr. Chiranjeevi.

Keeps updated

It is learnt that the film star himself has not stirred out of his residence much and is using time to get himself physically fit through a punishing fitness regime that includes a generous dose of yoga, apart from pumping iron.

In between several professors and intelligentsia drop into his house, updating him with current affairs and issues.

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