The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics evokes mixed response

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics evokes mixed response

Special Correspondent

TDP accuses Chiranjeevi of “encouraging defections”

--Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Arriving in style: Matinee idol Chiranjeevi arrives for his maiden press conference to announce the launch of his political party in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The formal announcement of film actor Chiranjeevi about his political entry evoked mixed response from other parties in the State.

While the Congress claimed that the new party would make no difference to its prospects, the Telugu Desam accused Mr. Chiranjeevi of “encouraging defections” from other parties.

BJP State president Bandaru Dattatreya said the new party would end the bipolar situationand usher a change in the political landscape.

The CPI said much would depend on the policies that were yet to be announced.

Congress Working Committee member and AP affairs in-charge Veerappa Moily said his party was not concerned about the actor’s decision. Everybody had a right to float political parties in a democracy and Mr. Chiranjeevi was exercising his right.

The TDP criticised the invitation extended by Mr. Chiranjeevi to leaders from other parties to join his party and charged him with encouraging nepotism. TDP parliamentary party leader K. Yerran Naidu said the film actor’s assertion that there was nothing wrong if family members played a role in his party showed that the party would be no different from others.

CPI State secretary K. Narayana said the announcement showed that Mr. Chiranjeevi might have already finalised the party’s agenda.

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