The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Chiru tour exposes lapses in party

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Friday, Dec 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Chiru tour exposes lapses in party

Staff Reporter

PR chief made to wait for hours for gathering

“None of us were given leadership responsibilities,” says a party leader
Success of public meeting at Siddipet, the
TRS bastion, gives a boost to PR leaders

SANGAREDDY: The three-day tour of Praja Rajyam (PR) president Chiranjeevi, which ended on December 24 in Medak district, exposed the organisational lapses existing in the party.

Though people attended in large numbers for his public meetings, it was more out of their interest to have a look at the film star rather than any effort by the local party leaders.

One can understand the situation of the party with the public meeting that was addressed by Chiranjeevi at Sangareddy on December 22.

On the first day of his tour, it was the second meeting that was planned and scheduled at 3 p.m.

Chiranjeevi who was at 1 p.m. sharp at Patancheru was forced to wait for three hours for public gathering at Sangareddy.

At one point of time local leaders were worried whether people would turn up by the time Chiranjeevi arrives. The mood of the public to see the cine actor closely saved the day for the PR.

“Who should bell the cat?” was the question that lingered in the minds of local party leaders.

Party ticket

“None of us were given leadership responsibilities at district-level and none from the district headquarters was given any major position in the party. Similarly, none was assured of the party ticket, ” said a party leader on the condition of anonymity.

With the bitter experience of Sangareddy, the party leadership alerted leaders at other constituencies where the public meetings were planned.

However, the grand success of public meeting that was addressed by Chiranjeevi at Siddipet, the bastion of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and hometown of its president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, gave a boost to the PR

leaders. But still the party has to go a long way to turn youth and women as voters of the party.

Criticism

Chiranjeevi not staying at night also drew criticism from his supporters.

“Had Chiranjeevi stayed at night and interacted with locals, the impact would be different,” said a party leader at Narayanakhed.

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