Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Chiru unfazed by allegations

VISAKHAPATNAM: Actor-turned Praja Rajyam Party president Chiranjeevi expressed wit and tact while facing a barrage of questions over his style of functioning, alleged sale of tickets and his party’s claim on social justice.

Appearing unfazed by flood of allegations by his critics from the Congress, Telugu Desam and those who left the fledgling PRP mostly after denial of ticket, he told reporters during a 60-minute interaction on Tuesday that his party was democratic, candidates were finalised after due consultation, and he was very clear about his goals to provide a ‘clean and caring’ governance if elected to power.

Asked to comment on Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s allegation that PRP had turned into ‘ayomayam’ (confused) rajyam and TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s claim that his party was a ‘kutumba (family) rajyam’, he shot back:

“Let them mind their tongue. What’s wrong if my family members assist me in running the affairs of the party?

Have not they involved their family members in their respective parties?”

To a specific charge by former party spokesman Parakala Prabhakar that tickets were sold for crores of rupees, he asked where was the evidence.

On Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s charge that his claim on social justice was false as many forward caste people had been shown as backward in the list of PRP candidates, he rebuffed:

“What’s wrong with Mr. Naidu? I am giving an open challenge to him. I will retire from politics if the allegation is proved. Otherwise will he take political sanyas?”

On Maoists’ charge that PRP was no different from Congress and Telugu Desam, he said: “They should make a proper judgment. Ours is a new party and let them give us some time to prove our commitment.”

When a reporter asked him four to five questions without giving scope to others to raise queries, he replied:

“Let me get a pen and paper to note down the questions and answer one after another.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Research centre opened
It’s delicious, it’s Punjabi for sure
Fervour marks Baisakhi
Congress will get 200 plus: Kishore Chandra Deo
Cricketers bat for Subba Rao
TTD aid for book
Tributes paid to Ambedkar
Patrudu locked in tough battle
Lacklustre campaigning in Narsipatnam
Chiru unfazed by allegations
Policy changes needed to fight economic crisis, says Yechury
Security beefed up in agency area
“Don’t booze, I will pay more”
‘Congress wind blowing’
Araku witnesses maximum spending
Arrangements in place for elections
Fresh permission needed for party vehicles
Over Rs. 5 lakhs seized
Plea to Railway pensioners
‘GA will sweep first phase election’
FIRs to be filed against staff avoiding poll duty
Campaigning comes to end
PR chief rules out hung Assembly
Visakhapatnam today

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu