Open air prison becomes a shoppers’ paradise

Hyderabad, Nov 26: The Cherlapally open air prison has become a shoppers’ stop for housewives these days. Families from surrounding colonies stop their cars and two-wheelers here on the way home to buy fresh vegetables grown by the jail inmates.

They prefer them to the pesticide-laced vegetables sold in nearby Rythu Bazaars and Sunday markets. Jail inmates are following organic methods to grow vegetables with minimal use of pesticides. And the rates are comparable with those of Rythu Bazaars. The prison is not only known for its high quality vegetables but also for milk, meat and poultry products.

It has an area of 128.7 acres in which the inmates are growing vegetables and mango. There are also sheds where around 102 cows, buffaloes and calves are kept. The sheep grown in the farms are sold at good prices during Bakr-id. With the government allowing prison authorities to spend more funds on livestock, plans are afoot to buy Jersey cross cows that give 10 litres of milk per day and Murrah buffaloes which give 10 to 12 litres of milk.

The dairy farm supplies 70 to 80 litres of milk per day to the Cherlapally Central Prison and other sister institutions. Popular cinema has given all of us the impression that prisoners spent all their time breaking huge stones. But this is no longer true. Now inmates are involved in soap making, weaving, and furniture making apart from horticulture and maintaining dairy farms.

Prisoners who are sentenced for rigorous imprisonment will have to work in the factories as well as farms. Those who are sentenced to simple imprisonment have to give it in writing that they have volunteered to work. Each prisoner in open air jail is paid Rs 20 per day. The rate is Rs 15 per day for inmates of closed jails. A prisoner can earn up to Rs 600 per month.

Exploring our own backyard

BY J.R.PRASAD Hyderabad, Nov. 26: For most people, a great holiday means a trip to some other state or even a foreign country. But the fact remains that very few have explored the attractive locales and historic monuments in their own state. For instance, not many people in Andhra Pradesh are not aware of the Pasupathinatha temple located in Bondakal near Rayadurgam in Anantapur district. The only other Pasupathinatha temple in the world is in Nepal. Similarly, the Maha Mruthyunjayeshwara temple located at Jittuga, 13 km near to Tanuku, is the only one temple of its kind in the country. Tour operators point out that starting from the Kolleru lake to the beautiful Borra caves in Visakhapatnam, there are a great number of tourist attractions in the state which many people have not visited. History enthusiasts, for instance, will enjoy a trip to Keesaragutta, situated about 35 km from Hyderabad. It is a historic temple village that was once the capital of the great Vishnukundin dynasty. Kondaveedu Fort is about 25 km from Guntur. It was built during the rule of the Reddy kings. Located on a hilltop, this historical fort has around 21structures. The Guttikonda Bilam, which is also popularly known as Dakshina Kasi, is also nearby. Bellum caves, which are 320 km from Hyderabad, is the largest cave system in the plains of India. The stalactite and stalagmite formations in these caves are major attractions. Other unexplored locales include Alampur, home to the very ancient Navabhramma temples; Mahanandi, which is surrounded by the Nallamala forest; Ananthagiri Hills, a breathtakingly beautiful resort near Vishakapatnam; the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal and; the mammoth Gothic church in Medak. "We are taking all steps to attract tourists to these places," said the tourism minister, Mr A. Ramanarayan Reddy. "We are building 30 budget hotels in 22 districts for this purpose," he said. Unexplored getaways Hyderabad, Nov.26: Andhra Pradesh has several exciting weekend destinations for people looking for short breaks. Within a reasonable budget, one can have a memorable holiday. The best options would be tours to offbeat destinations not frequently visited by tourists. They include: Located in Konaseema area in Godavari delta, this locale is famous for its lush green paddy fields and coconut groves. You can plan a two-day tour to this island. If you take the Secunderabad-Narsapur express train at the evening, you will land at Bhimavaram next morning and can have breakfast there. At Gunupudi in Bhimavaram there is an ancient Shiva temple, one of the "Pancharama Kshetras" in the state. After darshan, one can move on to Palacole, 20 km away from there. Traversing through sun streaked riversides enjoying the musky fragrance of earth would be a great experience. There is another Shiva temple in Palacole, where the idol is believed to have been installed by Lord Rama himself. From there, one has to travel towards Narasapur and Mogalturu to reach the breathtaking Perupalem beach. Once you cross the Chinchinada Bridge you will reach Dindi village. Visitors can enjoy a boat cruise or a boat ride up to Papikondalu and can also visit the umpteen temples near Amalapuram/Kakinada. The Harita coconut resorts being maintained by the APTDC in Dindi are very popular. AP Tourism makes the Konaseema experience even more memorable with its air conditioned houseboat cruises. You can even stay the night in the boat which will be anchored near the resorts. You can return via Antarvedi beach and can pay a visit to Venugopala Swamy temple in Saketipally. The small and dusty village in north Telangana region, 30-km from Nizamabad, is situated on the banks of Godavari River. It has one of the oldest temples of Goddess Saraswati in India. It takes only five hours from Hyderabad to reach Basar. En route, pilgrims can visit Ramalayam at Dichpally, Alisagar at Thanakalan, and the Lakshminarasimha Swami temple. The temple in Basar has no intricate carvings but pilgrims vouch that it gives a spiritual high. The presiding deity, Gnana Saraswati Devi, is in a seated position with a veena in hand and bedecked with turmeric. During the return journey from Basar, once can take the Kanyakumari route and enjoy the Kuntala waterfall, the highest in the state. Pochera waterfalls is 12.5 kms away from Kuntala. Travel buffs can also visit Raghunathalayam Quilla in Nizamabad and Kalabairava Swamy Temple near Kamareddy. This is a beautiful temple town close to Nandyal in Kurnool district at the foothills of Nallamala forest range. The centuries-old shrine is surrounded by lush forest and gentle streams. To reach this place, one has to travel 270 km from Hyderabad to Nandyal by road. Mahanandi is located 20 km from Nandyal. The ancient temple dates back to over 1,500 years. Inscriptions indicate that the temple was repaired and rebuilt by many kings. The temple tank is 60 square feet with a Mantapa in the centre. The inlets and outlets of the tank are so arranged that the depth of the water is constantly kept at five feet. The source of water is still a mystery. One specialty of the temple is that every devotee, irrespective of his caste or creed, can touch the linga and pray at the Garbhagruha. Those with a religious bent of mind can also visit Ahobilam which is located 50 kms from Nandiyal. The temple consists of nine shrines to Lord Narisimha. If one stays back at Nandyal, the visit could be rounded off with a trip to the Bellum caves on the Kurnool-Nandyal road, the biggest cave system in the plains of India. Bhadrachalam, the abode of Lord Sri Rama is 300 km away from Hyderabad. You can either board the Machilipatnam Express from Secunderabad at night or hire a cab to reach the spot. Train travellers can get down at Kottagudem. From there then can take a cab to reach Bhadrachalam. The early morning darshan of Lord Rama usually sends devotees to an ecstatic mood. Next morning, one can move towards Sriramagiri, from where there are boat rides to Papikondalu, a hill range located between Bhadrachalam and Rajahmundry. You can have food on the boat watching the splendour of the lush green hills and the majesty of the Godavari. One can leave in the night by either Bangalore Express or by Yashwanthapur Express and get down at Hindupur, in the early hours of next morning. There are good hotels in the town. Take a cab and proceed to Lepakshi which is just 13 km away from Hindupur and have darshan at the Veerabhadreswara Swamy Temple built in 13th century by the rulers of great Vijayanagara kingdom. One can spot the 25 feet long, 15 feet high mammoth bull near the temple, who is called Basavayya in the local dialect. The temple also has a unique hanging pillar. While other pillars have their base in the mandapam, one pillar literally hangs. Near Lepakshi there is Veerapuram village, where the Siberian migratory birds come to roost, offering a feast to the eyes. Once can then proceed to Penukonda , which was considered the second capital of Vijayanagara kingdom. There one can get to see the 100 feet long 15 feet high reclining statue of the demon Kumbhkarna. Tourist influx increases Hyderabad, Nov. 26: Despite their hectic lives, most new-age parents are giving priority to travelling with their children. Thanks to this trend, tourist flow to various historical, religious and scenic spots in the state is on the rise despite the global meltdown. “Most of the tourists in the state are domestic travellers,” said Mr P.V. Ramana Reddy, the executive director of the APTDC. “So the recession has had no effect on our tourism sector.” In fact, tourist arrivals have only increased. “We used to run 20 buses of 30-seat capacity to tourist spots per week,” said Mr K. Simharayalu, a private tour operator of Hyderabad. “Now, we are running 25 buses per week,” he said. Interestingly, there has also been a sharp increase in pilgrims to various temples of the state.

Party HQs resemble corporate offices

BY J.R.PRASAD
Hyderabad, Nov. 24: There was a time when the headquarters of political parties were Spartan affairs where the only decorations were flags, banners and posters. This has changed now and posh conference halls, digital libraries, gyms, eateries and even luxurious bedrooms have become the hallmark of party offices. In fact, it has become difficult to distinguish central offices of political parties from major corporate houses.
The NTR Bhavan, central office of the Telugu Desam, and the Telangana Bhavan of the Telangana Rastra Samiti in Banjara Hills are classic examples of this. With the exception of the Congress, central offices of all other parties are vying with each other to have a slick look. The TD office consists of two centrally air-conditioned buildings. One is a four storied swanky building with marble floor, where the main activities of the party take place. The party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has an exclusive chamber in the second floor of this building with a digital TV and costly furniture.
In the second building, there is a digital library with 6,957 books in English, Hindi, Urdu and Telugu. Over 757 government orders have been scanned and stored in electronic format here. This library has also got a computer department, where skilled technicians record the news bulletins of various Telugu news channels daily and store them in CDs for future reference. There is also a hitech gym in the same building, where party leaders do aerobics everyday. NTR Bhavan has also got a stylish eatery for guests who have missed their breakfast. "We set up the digital library to update ourselves on the latest happenings," said the senior TD leader, Mr N. Janardhan Reddy. "The gym helps us keep fit."
The Telangana Bhavan in Banjara Hills is also a magnificent structure. All the 64 rooms in that office have posh interior decoration. Party leaders who come from far get classy accommodation and workers get mouthwatering Telangana delicacies. Offices of the BJP, and the newly launched Nava Telangana Party as well as the Praja Rajyam are also swanky affairs. In comparison, the Congress office seems quite modest — almost Gandhian.

When it comes to Left, everything is right

Hyderabad, Nov. 25: The Left parties often have a holier-than-thou attitude, but when it comes to brass tacks they are as good (or as bad) as any "bourgeois" or "right wing" party. Take for instance the corporate-style building near Narayanaguda flyover which is stylish enough to attract the attention of any passersby.

Many shoppers must have gone into the building to buy confectionaries from the famous Agrawala Sweets located in the ground floor. The premises are owned not by any profit-seeking builder but by the All-India Trade Union Congress, an affiliate of the Communist Party of India (CPI). And sources said that the owners charge a hefty Rs 1.23 lakh per month as rent from the Agrawalas and Rs 38,000 from an insurance company, which occupies the first floor.

Of course, this is not the first time that the Left parties have put their properties to commercial use. But many are surprised by their clever adaptability to trends which they criticise as decadent from public stages. "This is the problem with the Left parties," said a Congress minister.

"They also try to derive maximum benefit out of a move — be it investment or politics — but are quick to blame others for doing the same," he says. Similarly, though the Left smirks at the very mention of caste politics, leaders of other parties see a caste angle in their decision to break bread with the Telugu Desam.

The housing minister, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana, said the alliance between the CPI, the CPI (M) and the Telugu Desam is like "birds coming back to the same nest after going out in different directions for food." "They are birds of the same feather," he said, subtly hinting that the heads of these three parties belong to the same caste.

The TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, had also blamed the CPI(M) state secretary, Mr B.V. Raghavulu, for moving closer to Mr Chandrababu Naidu as both belonged to the same caste. Of course, the Left parties themselves have a more "progressive" explanation for all this.

All parties to meet on Babli

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 24: The state government has decided to convene an all party meeting on November 30 as a prelude to presenting its case in the Supreme Court against the controversial Babli dam which is being built over River Godavari in Maharashtra .

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, decided to seek the inputs of opposition parties after an all party delegation led by the Telugu Desam deputy floor leader, Mr K. Srihari, and the MP. Mr E. Dayakar Rao, met him on Monday evening at his camp office.

According to the Telangana Rastra Samiti MP Mr B. Vinod Kumar, who was also part of the delegation, it apprised the Chief Minister of the grave danger posed by the project which is being constructed despite the case pending before the Supreme Court.

"We also asked the Chief Minister about the lackadaisical attitude of the State government’s counsel in arguing the case in the apex court," said Mr Vinod Kumar. "We told him to initiate required steps to put forward the State’s argument and pointed out the possible harm which will be done to the Telangana region in the event Babli is completed." The Chief Minister then said he would convene an all party meeting soon to discuss this issue. Mr E. Rajender, the former minister, Mr N. Narasimha Reddy; the CPI floor leader Mr Ch. Venkata Reddy and the CPI (M) MLA, Mr J. Ranga Reddy and BJP MLA, Mr G. Kishan Reddy, were part of the delegation.

Earlier, all these leaders held a separate meeting and resolved to organise a "Chalo Delhi" programme in the first week of December to step up pressure on the Centre to stop the construction of the Babli.

Learn word power from top police officer

Hyderabad, Nov. 23: Norman Lewis, the author of the world famous book Word Power Made Easy will now have tough competition from the city. The Hyderabad police commissioner, Mr B. Prasada Rao, is all set to publish a book titled Word Power to Mind Power, which presents a different way to improve one’s vocabulary.

The new method developed by the veteran police officer involves weaving a story with real life events using new words. This would make them part of one’s vocabulary much more easily. "I was a Telugu medium student up to intermediate, and felt that I was lagging behind," he said. "So I decided to master the English language. Since then I have been memorising words." He started by learning 200 new words everyday. Even though he is very busy now, he still finds time to learn new words.

Mr Prasada Rao claims he has memorised 11,000 words and also has their meanings at his fingertips. "As a policeman, taking time out for hobbies and interests is a bit difficult," he says. "I started practising this method when I was the additional superintendent of police in East Godavari district."

It took him 11 years to complete this book. He now wants this to be sold at affordable prices so that ordinary people can buy it. Ms Pushpa Ramakrishnan, head of the department of English in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University, has penned the foreword for the book. Mr Prasada Rao is also an accomplished physicist. His theory on the nature of light was published under the title "New light on LIGHT" in the Italian Optics Journal Atti Della Fondazione Giorgio Ronchi in 2004.

AP creates posts to recruit T-locals

Hyderabad, Nov. 22: The state government has decided to create 4,957 supernumerary posts to recruit locals against the same number of non-locals who will be repatriated while implementing the GO 610.

The decision was taken as the repatriation process was taking time due to legal and other procedural wrangles. The government also decided to go for a recruitment drive to fill all the vacant posts due to repatriation.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, reviewed the implementation of GO in all departments with the officials concerned on Saturday during a high-level meeting. The home minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, and the chairman, house committee on GO 610 implementation, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy also took part in it.

According to the home minister, all the departments have implemented GO 610 and reports received by them are being analysed.

Around 4,08,764 persons were appointed from 1975 to 2006. However, records are not traceable pertaining to the recruitment of 67, 784 employees.

Chiranjeevi explains act

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 22: The Praja Rajyam president, Chiranjeevi, explained that he twirled his moustache and patted his thighs only to make oppressed people happy.

Chiranjeevi had enacted a scene from his movie Indra during his Praja Ankita Yatra at Pulivendula, the home constituency of the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.

He said this while addressing advocates during the party’s legal cell convention at Image Gardens in Hyderbad. Interestingly, even the advocates asked him to enact the scene.

Then the Praja Rajyam chief refused to oblige. "I did that on a request from locals at Pulivendula to make them happy. The downtrodden have been seeking social justice for a long time. Twirling the moustache shows courage. They pressurised me to enact the scene to give vent to their feelings. I did it to instil confidence among them," he said.

The PR chief called upon the advocates to lend their services to bring justice to the poor. Chiranjeevi pacified leaders who complained that the government was registering false cases against them in order to scare them.

"You need not worry. From now on our advocates will take care of you," Chiranjeevi said.

CPI hints at TD pact

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 22: Decks have almost been cleared for a pre-poll pact between the Telugu Desam and the Left parties.

The Communist Party of India general secretary, Mr A.B. Bardhan, on Saturday dropped enough hints in this regard. While addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of the CPI state executive meeting in Hyderabad, Mr Bardhan stressed upon the need for unity among the Left parties to build a Left-Democratic force at the national level to counter the Congress and the BJP.

"This force should not be set up only for elections. It should be constituted to fight against problems being faced by the common man," he said.

Even though, the CPI has not yet announced its decision on having an alliance with the TD, political observers interpret Mr Bardhan’s call for "unity among the Left" is a clear indication that the CPI is ready to toe the line of the Marxist party to join hands with the TD. Interestingly, in an indirect reference to the TD, Bardhan said, "Some parties may have committed mistakes in the past. But now they are realising it. And are ready to rectify them to join hands with us."

More ‘brotherly’ trouble for the CM

Hyderabad, Nov. 22: Posters and hoardings of a smiling evangelist are all over the city these days. Everywhere you turn, you can see Brother Anil Kumar. His face is on traffic islands, bus stops and wall posters, publicising a grand prayer meeting to be organised in Parade Grounds as part of Christmas celebrations.

Though most persons would be familiar with the ads by now, not everyone knows that Brother Anil Kumar is the son-in-law of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. After facing several lows in his life earlier, Mr Anil Kumar turned to a spiritual life and found fulfillment there. He is one prominent member of the Chief Minister’s family who stayed out of controversies since his father-in-law took over the reins of the state in 2004. But it is to be seen whether the publicity blitzkrieg for Brother Anil Kumar’s prayer meeting will attract the attention of the opposition Telugu Desam, which is pursuing the single point agenda of targeting the Chief Minister’s family.

Sometimes, this obsession has also made the TD stumble badly as it happened the other day when a group of leaders organised a dharna on a plot which the Kadapa Mayor, Mr Ravindranath Reddy, brother-in-law of Chief Minister, allegedly encroached upon. However, after conducting the dharna for some time that the TD leaders realised that they were agitating on the wrong piece of land.

The plot where they conducted the sit in belonged to someone else. The TD leaders then hurriedly shifted location to the land in question. It is to be seen whether the faux pas over the CM’s brother will persuade the TD to ignore the other "Brother" in the family.

It is the season of devotion

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Hyderabad, Nov. 21: The state is in the throes of a devotional upsurge. More and more people, especially the youth and teens, are visiting temples nowadays. The number of religious tourists arriving in the state has also increased by 20 per cent. It is probably the uncertainty of modern times that is driving many to the abode of God. While some families are visiting temples to escape from distress, others, especially those who have seen an increase in their earnings, are praying fervently so that they don’t lose what they have.

Then there are those who have turned devotees with the intention of achieving self-discipline which will help them get ahead in life. All this has made religious leaders and temple administrators happy. "We too are surprised at the newfound and vigorous interest of people in temples and shrines," said Mr P. Sundara Kumar, the commissioner of endowments department. He added that many people were keen on getting the blessings of the Lord during the end of Kaliyuga.

A city based organisation, the Vedic Research and Astrological Centre, conducted a study on the upsurge of devotion among the youth and found that youngsters were not only visiting temples, but were also lining up to perform special pujas such as Sudarshan Homam, Srichakara Archana, Kubera Homam and Runa Vimochana Pashupatastram.

"Today’s youngsters are more worried about the future," said Mr D. Nagarjuna Sharma, the director of the centre. "The feelings of insecurity have turned them towards God." The youngsters who frequent temples admit as much. They add that temple visits had improved their confidence levels and motivated them to perform well in exams.

"I have visited several temples all over India," said C.V. Rajesh, a BSc student. "It gives me immense pleasure and also makes me more confident."

The feelings were echoed by M. Mahender Reddy, who has applied for a PG course. "God’s blessing helps me to forget unpleasant things in life." Academics and lecturers are also surprised at the bhakti streak among students.

"This is because of their focus on career," said Dr G. Madhusudana Rao, vice-principal of AV College. "It is a good sign and they will become responsible citizens in the future." However, religious scholars say that people should pray for the welfare of the world and not for themselves alone.

"Praying to God for personal benefits is common," said Mr Raghupati, the chief coordinator of Aradhana, a devotional magazine run by the endowments department. "But one should also think of welfare of the society." The increase in the number of devotees has caused trouble for temples in terms of facilities. For instance, as many as 75,000 devotees visit Tirumala every day but even half of them are not able to get accommodation.

Same is the case with famous temples such as Simhachalam, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala, Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Kanipakam, Vemulawada, Yadagirigutta, Bhadrachalam, Dharmapuri, Komaravalli, Basara, Mantralayam and other temples. With the unexpected rush at the temples, the state government has now prepared a blue print to meet the growing demands of the devotees.

"The government is planning to spend around Rs 500 crore to create more facilities including accommodation," said Mr Sundara Kumar. "Funds mobilisation has become easy as devotees are coming forward with huge offerings. We hope the facilities in temples would improve in the next 18 months."

The state government has identified 2,000 small and medium temples for renovation and developmental works. It is also going to spend around Rs 50 crore from common good fund to take up renovation of these temples.

TN sets the benchmark

Hyderabad, Nov. 21: Though more pilgrims are arriving in the state, it does not have a coordinated model of religious tourism as in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The railways, the transport, tourism and endowments departments of Tamil Nadu work in tandem to promote religious tourism.

Naturally, pilgrims prefer to frequently visit temples in Tamil Nadu where hassle-free journey is assured. Further, the Tamil Nadu tourism wings often come out with various packages to encourage religious tourism in the state. Private agencies also provide transport facilities to devotees to various pilgrim centres.

This has led to more economic activity in temple towns such as Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Madurai, Tanjore, Chidambaram, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) only focuses on tour packages to temples such as Tirumala, Srisailam and Bhadrachalam but does not operate buses to other temples citing less occupancy ratio. The private operators of the state are also not showing much interest in religious tourism.

"The government should adopt liberal tax structure so that the private operators would come forward to operate more buses," said Mr Ramesh Ayyanger, managing director of Royal Travels. With the lack of proper tour packages, pilgrims are forced to depend on private vehicles. They are also not aware of accommodation and other facilities.

Allu chief at PR’s

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 21: Talk about Praja Rajyam being a party of "party of brothers and brother-in-laws" gained ground on Friday when Mr Allu Aravind, the brother-in-law of Chiranjeevi, presided over a convention of Backward Classes organised by the party.

The meeting was organised to chalk out strategies to win the support of BCs. During the convention, Mr Aravind said that organisational committees in the PR would be appointed in a week.

It may be recalled that Mr Aravind had led the PR delegation to meet the director-general of police, Mr S.S.P. Yadav, and the State Human Rights Commission chairperson, Justice Subhashan Reddy, to submit a memorandum over the alleged attack on PR leaders at Pulivendula on Wednesday.

While addressing the BC gathering, Mr Aravind said that the proposed public meeting "BC Atma Gourava Sabha" would be held in Hyderabad in January to garner the support of the BCs.

The PR leadership is also planning to hold BC conventions across the state so as to understand the problems being faced by oppressed classes. After the completion of these meetings the PR camp managers would prepare a draft policy on the welfare of BCs, which will be incorporated in the election manifesto of the party.

Beware of these veterans of politics

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 21: It is veteran politicians rather than young rebels who are creating trouble for their party leadership these days. Whether it is Mr Ch. Harirama Jogaiah in the Praja Rajyam, Mr M. Satyanarayana Rao in the Congress or Mr S.V. Subba Reddy in the Telugu Desam, all are up to constant mischief.

When Mr Jogaiah was in the Congress, the Praja Rajyam leaders encouraged him to embarrass the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, with wild allegations and open letters. Now they themselves are at the receiving end of Mr Jogaiah’s missives. The veteran’s comments in his "leaked" letter that Chiranjeevi lacked clarity on key public issues have made the Praja Rajyam leadership go red in the face. He has also further distressed them by raising doubts about the party’s viability.

Though the Praja Rajyam managers are trying to downplay the incident, they are also thinking furiously on how to repair the damage. Mr Jogaiah, who encouraged Chiranjeevi to launch a political party when he was in the Congress, is now sceptical about the actor’s capabilities. And Mr Jogaiah’s son, Mr Ch. Prakash, himself said that the senior leader had a habit of leaking his letters to the media.

"Every party sees veteran politicians as assets, since they have vast political experience," said a Praja Rajyam leader. "But now we have to think twice before admitting seniors." What Mr Jogaiah is doing in the Praja Rajyam, the veteran leader, Mr M. Satyanarayana Rao, is doing in the Congress. His outspoken comments on issues are a constant source of embarrassment for the CM.

In the Telugu Desam, senior legislators such as Mr S.V. Subba Reddy and Mr P. Venkata Krishna Rao alias Krishnababu are known for their "candid remarks" on their party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu. Mr Krishnababu is also famous for his "soul searching" letters to the TD chief.

APPOLITRICS: Tragedy in Chiru road show

APPOLITRICS: Tragedy in Chiru road show

Tragedy in Chiru road show

DHARMAVARAM: The excitement to catch a glimpse of their idol proved fatal for two persons during Chiranjeevi’s ‘Praja Ankita Yatra’ here on Monday afternoon.

While one person died after he fell from a roadside tree at NTR Circle in the town when the Prajarajyam party chief’s convoy passed by, another died when he was trampled by a frenzied crowd that was running after the convoy.
The deceased have been identified as A Adinarayana (27), who fell from the tree, and D Tajuddin (36) of Dharmavaram. Tajuddin died at the government hospital during treatment and Adinarayana succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to his residence at Subbarayanagar. Ironically, both the victims were tailors by profession.

Another Chiru fan Ramana too fell from a tree and suffered injuries. His condition is said to be serious. The incidents occurred after Chiranjeevi had addressed the massive crowd and his convoy moved from NTR Circle around 2.30 pm. Sources said the tragedy occurred after the crowds, mostly consisting of youth, began to disperse and run after the star politician’s convoy.

Upset over the incidents, Chiranjeevi rushed Prajarajyam Party state observer N V Prasad and local leader V Prabhakar Choudary to call on the families of the deceased and announce an ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each.

The Chiru yatra has had its share of agony and trauma right from the day the star launched his ‘Praja Ankita Yatra’ in Srikakulam district on October 10. In fact, on the day of Dasara (October 9), a person, Ismail, died during a stampede while the PRP chief was addressing a road show at the temple town of Arasavilli where he went to seek the Sun god’s blessings before the launch of his statewide tour.

During Chiru’s road shows in Visakhapatnam district, an old woman, K Hemalatha, who came dressed like Mother Teresa died of exhaustion and cardiac arrest after she sat under hot sun in his convoy. A youth M Tirupati Rao of Simhachalam was knocked down by one of the vehicles in the convoy of the actor.

At a road show at Sompeta in Srikakulam, seven people were injured when a parapet wall on which they were standing collapsed.

Chiru tour turns "reel" yatra

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 20: Chiranjeevi's Praja Ankita Yatra has turned into a good opportunity for people in the Rayalaseema region to shake hands with him and and get his autograph. Instead of venting their woes, people are busy asking the actor-turned politician to enact scenes from his blockbuster films like Indra, Tagore and Shankar Dada MBBS rather their telling him of their problem.

This has come as a major blow to the Praja Rajyam leadership which wanted to use the yatra to woo voters. Political observers say people still see Chiranjeevi as an actor rather than as a politician.
Even though the PR chief is getting a good response for his road shows, party leaders are wondering if it will turn into votes.

"Chiranjeevi is drawing huge crowds, during his shows. Youngsters are struggling to get his autograph. Though some people are trying to tell him of their problems, these are very rare," said a PR leader who is accompanying the actor. It was evident on Thursday when Chiranjeevi addressed road shows in Kadapa district. All through the day, he just received one memorandum from farmers.

The PR chief also seems to have realised that there is no other option for him but to re-enact scenes from his films to attract people. At one point on Wedn-esday, Chiranjeevi twirled his moustache and slapped his thigh while re-enacting a scene from Indra during a road show in Pulivendula, the home constituency of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.

A PR leader, Mr Seshanarayan, said, "He knows the only way to attract youngsters is through dialogues." When asked about this, both the agriculture minister, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy and the Telugu Desam politburo member, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy, said the people were thronging the roadshows only to see the actor.

Congress oldies reinvent themselves

Hyderabad, Nov 19: Many "retired" leaders of the Congress who had gone out of circulation are trying to breathe new life into their political careers these days. It is the new political parties on the block that are tempting them to reinvent themselves. When the senior leader, Mr P. Shiva Sankar, recently submitted his ‘resignation,’ to the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the leadership was utterly confused. Nobody was sure whether he was in the party or whether he had actually quit sometime ago.

The veteran had gone into hibernation after he was denied a party ticket in 2004 and there were media reports that he had quit the party. There were even reports that he had met the then Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, seeking the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat. But nothing came of it and Mr Shiva Sankar disappeared from the scene. Suddenly after four years, he emerged again and has again dashed off a letter to the Congress president announcing his resignation.

The leadership was puzzled on what to do with the letter and even Mr Veerappa Moily, who is in charge of state party affairs, fumbled when asked whether Mr Shiva Shankar was still a member of the party. Same is the case with Mr Upendra, a former MP. The Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat, which he represented twice, was given to his son in-law Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal, and Mr Upendra gave up active politics after 2004.

All of a sudden, he has also written to Mrs Gandhi announcing his ‘resignation’ in protest against the ‘sale’ of Assembly tickets. As in the case of Mr Shiva Shankar, nobody knows whether Mr Upendra was in or out. Some district leaders, who had all but disappeared from the scene, have also quit the party after issuing profound statements.

All of them have now joined the Praja Rajyam party, which has been welcoming them as ‘veterans’. Much to the distress of the Congress, their ‘exit’ from the party is also becoming big news in the local media."These people have no significance but television channels are giving them too much importance," said a Congress leader.

Congress oldies reinvent themselves

Hyderabad, Nov 19: Many "retired" leaders of the Congress who had gone out of circulation are trying to breathe new life into their political careers these days. It is the new political parties on the block that are tempting them to reinvent themselves. When the senior leader, Mr P. Shiva Sankar, recently submitted his ‘resignation,’ to the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the leadership was utterly confused. Nobody was sure whether he was in the party or whether he had actually quit sometime ago.

The veteran had gone into hibernation after he was denied a party ticket in 2004 and there were media reports that he had quit the party. There were even reports that he had met the then Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, seeking the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat. But nothing came of it and Mr Shiva Sankar disappeared from the scene. Suddenly after four years, he emerged again and has again dashed off a letter to the Congress president announcing his resignation.

The leadership was puzzled on what to do with the letter and even Mr Veerappa Moily, who is in charge of state party affairs, fumbled when asked whether Mr Shiva Shankar was still a member of the party. Same is the case with Mr Upendra, a former MP. The Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat, which he represented twice, was given to his son in-law Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal, and Mr Upendra gave up active politics after 2004.

All of a sudden, he has also written to Mrs Gandhi announcing his ‘resignation’ in protest against the ‘sale’ of Assembly tickets. As in the case of Mr Shiva Shankar, nobody knows whether Mr Upendra was in or out. Some district leaders, who had all but disappeared from the scene, have also quit the party after issuing profound statements.

All of them have now joined the Praja Rajyam party, which has been welcoming them as ‘veterans’. Much to the distress of the Congress, their ‘exit’ from the party is also becoming big news in the local media."These people have no significance but television channels are giving them too much importance," said a Congress leader.

Telangana parties seek divine help before polls

Karimnagar, Nov. 20: With elections fast approaching, parties of Telangana region are seeking divine help these days. The Telangana Rastra Samiti president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, is planning to offer prayers at a dargah in Adilabad before starting his road show in the district.

He has regularly prayed at the famous Karimullahshah dargah (in the old town in Karimnagar) before filing his nomination papers and believes that this has led to his victory in all the three recent elections including two by-elections in a row from Karimnagar. KCR had also embraced the age-old custom of wearing "Imam Zamin", (coins wrapped in a cloth and tied around the arm for good fortune), during all his election campaigns in the past.

Not to be excluded from divine favour, the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Nava Telangana Party president, Mr T. Devender Goud, too were found wearing Imam Zamin at various meetings held in the region recently. Meanwhile, the BJP state president, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, has already performed the famous Kode Mokku ritual at Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada during his visit to the temple town as part of the Vijaya Sankalpa Yatra recently.

It is a unique ritual conducted by offering bull-calves, considered as incarnations of Nandeeshwara, for fulfilment of wishes. Elated over the promise made by the party prime ministerial candidate, Mr Lal Krishna Advani, to form separate Telangana in 100 days after coming to power, the BJP leaders have stepped up their campaign to win the hearts of people in the region.

To express his immense belief in the power of Lord Shiva, Mr Dattatreya once again performed Kode Mokku in Vemulawada on Monday, this time to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for the election of Mr Advani as the next Prime Minister.

Parties woo young voters

BY J.R.PRASAD

Nov. 19: All the major political parties of the state are actively trying to woo the youth who comprise more than 50 per cent of the electorate. Out of the 5.77 crore voters in the state, 9.8 lakh are in the age group of 18 to 19 and 1.47 crore fall in the 20 to 29 age bracket. And there are 1.3 crore voters who are aged between 30 and 39.

The newly formed Praja Rajyam of megastar Chiranjeevi is ahead of others in trying to attract the youth. In fact, the party has pinned all its hopes on the youth with the belief that the actor has got considerable sway among them. Chiranjeevi’s producer brother-in-law, Mr Allu Aravind, had taken much interest in enabling the youth to enrol in the voters’ list and the actor too urges the youngsters to do so during his Praja Ankita Yatra.

"Why elect the same person again?" he asks at every meeting. "Please enrol yourselves and help bring change." Chiranjeevi’s fans have been asked to encourage youth to register themselves as voters. "Party activists have been told to enrol as many youth voters as possible in villages since the ruling party is trying to delete their names realising Chiranjeevi’s popularity among them," said the party spokesperson, Mr Tammineni Sitaram.

The Telugu Desam has also intensified its efforts to woo young voters after the recently held Yuva Garjana and is making efforts to enrol them in the voters’ list. "We have called upon our leaders and workers to make sure that their sons and daughters register their names," said the TD politburo member, Mr Nagam Janardhan Reddy.

The TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, is himself monitoring this exercise through teleconferences. He has announced several schemes including an unemployment dole of Rs 1,000 if the TD is voted to power and has decided to launch a web campaign on the lines of the US President-elect, Mr Barack Obama, to catch the eye of the urban youth.

Mr Naidu further announced that 40 per cent Assembly tickets would be given to the youth. Not to be left behind, the Congress is putting in all efforts to persuade the young electorate to give it a second term in office. It has launched an enrolment campaign and has set up district level committees to reach out to the youth. Film stars are being used by all the parties as also younger leaders such as Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, son of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.

The CM even extended the upper age limit to apply for government jobs to get the support of the youth. Telangana parties too are conducting awareness campaigns to make their favourite slogan of a separate state resonate in young minds. "We are pinning our hopes on young people," said the Nava Telangana Party chief, Mr T. Devender Goud.

Focus on career, not on politics
Hyderabad, Nov. 19: Gone are the days when campuses were full of fiery discussions about revolution and social change. Despite the attempts by parties to woo them, majority of youth in the state seem to be indifferent to politics. More than polls, it is the economic slowdown and its possible negative effects on career prospects that make them very anxious.

"I am more concerned about my career," said Mr S. Mallesham of Karimnagar district, who is pursuing his graduation in Nizam College of Hyderabad. "Fulfilling the dreams of my parents is my first priority and not politics."

"I don’t think it will make any difference whether I cast my vote in the elections or not," added Ms J. Radhika of the Hyderabad Central University. "All the political parties are power hungry." Some youth, however, have hopes on Chiranjeevi. "I think he will bring change and root out corruption," said Mr K. Naveen, a student of Osmania University. "So I will vote for his Praja Rajyam." However, Ms Gayatri, a software engineer in Sum Total Systems, pointed out Chiranjeevi did not do anything for the people of the state or his village during his 30-year film career.


Join up, SEC tells youth
Hyderabad, Nov. 19: Apart from conducting awareness camps for college students, the State Election Commission has decided to distribute pamphlets in campuses in and around Hyderabad to persuade youth to enrol themselves in the voters’ list. In collaboration with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and a voluntary organisation, Janagraha Centre for Citizenship, the EC will organise awareness and enrolment campaigns.

"Most students do not have voter ID cards and we want to encourage them to register in the voter’s list," said the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr I.V. Subba Rao. The commission has asked the education department to direct teachers and professors to ensure that all students above the age of 18 were enrolled in the voter’s list. Any person who will become 18 by January 1, 2009, can enrol as a voter by going to the nearest post office and filling up the Form-6.

Otherwise, he or she can make use of the drop boxes available at shopping malls, petrol bunks and theatres or register by logging on to the EC website. Mr Subba Rao said eligible citizens could register their names in voters’ list till the last day of the withdrawal of the nominations by the candidates, but added that they should ideally do it earlier.

By dialing the toll free number,1100, people can get to know whether their name is in the voters’ list. As per the CEC’s order, fresh summary revision of electoral rolls in the State is being taken up from October 25.

Congress oldies reinvent themselves

Hyderabad, Nov 19: Many "retired" leaders of the Congress who had gone out of circulation are trying to breathe new life into their political careers these days. It is the new political parties on the block that are tempting them to reinvent themselves. When the senior leader, Mr P. Shiva Sankar, recently submitted his ‘resignation,’ to the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the leadership was utterly confused. Nobody was sure whether he was in the party or whether he had actually quit sometime ago.

The veteran had gone into hibernation after he was denied a party ticket in 2004 and there were media reports that he had quit the party. There were even reports that he had met the then Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, seeking the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat. But nothing came of it and Mr Shiva Sankar disappeared from the scene. Suddenly after four years, he emerged again and has again dashed off a letter to the Congress president announcing his resignation.

The leadership was puzzled on what to do with the letter and even Mr Veerappa Moily, who is in charge of state party affairs, fumbled when asked whether Mr Shiva Shankar was still a member of the party. Same is the case with Mr Upendra, a former MP. The Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat, which he represented twice, was given to his son in-law Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal, and Mr Upendra gave up active politics after 2004.

All of a sudden, he has also written to Mrs Gandhi announcing his ‘resignation’ in protest against the ‘sale’ of Assembly tickets. As in the case of Mr Shiva Shankar, nobody knows whether Mr Upendra was in or out. Some district leaders, who had all but disappeared from the scene, have also quit the party after issuing profound statements.

All of them have now joined the Praja Rajyam party, which has been welcoming them as ‘veterans’. Much to the distress of the Congress, their ‘exit’ from the party is also becoming big news in the local media."These people have no significance but television channels are giving them too much importance," said a Congress leader.

Upendra out of Congress, in PR

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 17: The former Union minister, Mr P. Upendra, who is due to join the Praja Rajyam formally tendered his resignation from the Congress on Monday. In his resignation letter addressed to the AICC president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Upendra took pot-shots at the Congress leadership.

Repeating the allegations of former Union minister, Mr P. Shiv Shanker who pledged his support to Chiranjeevi’s party, Mr Upendra also said that tickets were sold in the Congress during the last elections. "After I fought unsuccessfully in the 1999 elections, I remained more or less idle as the Congress did not give me any assignment. Sycophants and others are always favoured by the party high command. Money plays a big role in deciding matters at the party and government levels," Mr Upendra said.

He also said that as per Chiranjeevi’s request he decided to support the latter in his new endeavour. "My task in the Praja Rajyam will be purely advisory in nature. I have no intention of contesting the elections," Mr Upendra added.

Mr Upendra, who enjoyed a good position in the Telugu Desam under the leadership of NTR was expelled from the party in 1992 for allegedly engineering a split in the Telugu Desam’s Parliamentary party to help the then Congress government at the Centre survive. In 1994, he joined the Congress and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency on a party ticket.

Voters can register at post offices now

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 17: Residents of the city can now enrol in the voters’ list at nearest post office. The Chief Electoral Officer, Mr I.V. Subba Rao, said on Monday that post offices in and around Hyderabad would be the permanent venues for registration or revision of names in the voters list.

The Election Commission (EC) has entered into an agreement with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on Monday to implement this pilot project in 216 post offices in Hyderabad. "This facility would be more helpful to citizens of the state capital," said Mr Subba Rao. "We are implementing this on experimental basis."

In order to make this project a success, the EC had given adequate training to 1,200 postal staff. Any person who will be aged 18 by January 1, 2009, can enrol as a voter by going to the post office and filling up the Form-6. Voter identity card would be sent to the person by post within a month. If the experiment succeeds, it is likely to implemented in other urban centres of the state.

Time for politicians to brush up T language

Nizamabad, Nov. 15: To catch the voter's eye, or rather his ear, politicians of Telangana are busy learning the local dialect. Those who aspire for Assembly and Lok Sabha seats are ahead of others in picking up the nuances of the slang. All leaders try to give a Telangana touch to their speeches especially when addressing large crowds. It comes easily to some while it is hard work for others.
It was the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) founder president, Mr K.Chandrasekhar Rao, who first used this tactic to attract people. His speeches are always peppered with Telangana idioms. Other TRS MPs and MLAs follow their leader's style while addressing crowds. KCR's son Mr.K.Taraka Rama Rao also picked up the Telangana dialect when he was elevated as party general secretary.
Earlier, people's representatives and political leaders used to give their speeches in the influential Coastal Andhra dialect. They had the feeling that this style of speech was more polished.
But things have changed and now the TRS, the TRS (Narendra), Talli Telangana and Nava Telangana party are all vying to catch the attention of the people. National parties such as the Congress, the BJP, and the CPI have already declared their soft corner for the state and the TD, which had always stood for united Andhra Pradesh, has also started chanting the T-mantra.

This turnaround has also given a new status to the Telangana dialect. The Assembly Speaker Mr.K.R.Suresh Reddy, who used to speak Telugu mixed with English, is now speaking in the Telangana dialect. Similarly, the AICC secretary and Nizamabad MP, Mr.Madhu Goud Yashki, also drifts to slang while speaking to the press.

The PCC chief, Mr D.Srinivas, the Minister for Minority Welfare, Mr Mohammad Ali Shabbir, the Telugu Desam senior leader, Mr Mandava Venkateshwer Rao, and senior MLAs, Mr. S. Santhosh Reddy and Mr S.Gangaram of Jukkal all take care to speak like natives of the region. "It may turn out to be useful for the politicians and for the dialect as well," says Mr S.Ramchander, a Telugu scholar.

Town has Chiru in jitters

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 16: Most politicians love to talk about their native villages and towns. They are comfortable in their home turf and often try to nurture their constituencies there. But not so for the actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. The very mention of his native Mogalturu makes the Praja Rajyam chief grimace these days. For rival politicians are now using the scenic locale to hit out at Chiranjeevi’s credentials, or rather, the lack of them. It was Congress leaders who first said the megastar has done nothing for his native place in the last three decades and does not even visit it.

However, Mr Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy’s remarks that Chiranjeevi had not cared for his native Mogalturu forced Chiranjeevi to break his silence. The film star was forced to admit that he has indeed not visited Mogalturu. The Chief Minister picked the cue and during his road show in Guntur reportedly said that Chiranjeevi had not visited his own village in the last three decades and had done nothing for its betterment. “Then, what change he can bring for the state?” asked the Chief Minister. In return, Chiranjeevi has included Pulivendula, the home constituency of the Chief Minister, in third leg of his Yatra.

TD to use Obama strategy

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 16: The Telugu Desam leadership appears to be taking a cue from the US Democratic President-elect, Mr Barack Obama, to reach out to professionals and the youth. The TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is drawing parallels between himself and Mr Obama, in the run-up to the 2009 elections, has set up a separate wing with software professionals in the Telugu Desam to propagate the party’s policies among professionals through the Internet.

It may be recalled that Mr Obama relied on the Internet for campaigning during the US Presidential elections to attract the youth. he TD leader has also decided to launch "web campaigning" to win over the techies to support his party.

According to a press release from the NTR Bhavan, the Telugu Desam constituted the Telugu Sanketika Nipunula Vibhagam (Telugu Techies Wing) on Sunday to spread the policies of the Telugu Desam professionals in order to muster their support for the ensuing elections. Mr Palem Srikanth Reddy, a Non-Resident Indian software professional, has been appointed as the president to this wing.

Information technology professionals were appointed as office bearers. Sources said, the techies in this wing would take up hi-tech campaign with the help of the Internet to propagate the Telugu Desam’s policies among software and other professionals in the state.

"The main activities of this wing will be educating various sections of people and voters regarding the developmental activities taken up during the Telugu Desam’s regime," the Telugu Desam press release said.

T issue hijack worries TRS

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 16: Leaders and activists in the Telangana Rastra Samiti are a worried lot as the party president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, goes on a bus yatra from November 22 from Kaghaznagar in north Telangana. They are as worried about achieving a separate Telangana state as they are about finding an issue for Mr Rao to speak on. With almost all major political parties announcing a pro-Telangana stand and hijacking their election platform, the TRS leaders are now trying to come up with a new poll issue.

The activists were planning to rake up the Telangana sentiment in the run-up to the 2009 elections. However, Mr Rao’s soft stand towards all political parties, including the ruling Congress, is confusing the TRS leaders. Mr Rao used to criticise the Congress and the TD during his earlier road shows. He did not even spare the BJP and the Left. Even in the byelections in the Telangana region, Mr Rao resorted to this trick.

However, the situation is not the same. Now, the TD has taken a pro-Telangana stance and even the CPI(M) announced that it would not come in the way of statehood for Telangana. With the newly launched Praja Rajyam also favouring a separate state, the "Pink Party" chief is leaning towards the TD, PR and the Left for a pre-poll alliance.

Interestingly, Mr Rao who worked hard to bring Opposition parties in the state onto one platform to dislodge the Congress regime in the state, has suddenly softened his stand towards the Congress so that it could have an alliance with the party in case it makes a positive announcement on statehood.

"As all the political parties in the state are singing the same tune on Telangana, the TRS which enjoyed a monopoly over this slogan has been compelled to search for a new slogan in order to muster the support of the people. Apart from that, our party president is inclined towards the Telugu Desam, the Praja Rajyam, the BJP and the Congress for a possible alliance. Whom will he criticise in the ensuing yatra to garner public support," a TRS leader asked on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Mr Rao is confident about the prospects of the party in the ensuing general elections. "Now every other party including the TD is supporting the formation of Telangana state. This is the achievement of the TRS. Because of our persistent efforts, the long-cherished dream of Telangana people, is going to become a reality. Our effort will be our slogan," the TRS president told his party workers at a meeting in the Telangana Bhavan on Sunday.

Time for political parties to play "I spy"

Hyderabad, Nov. 8: Spying on each other has become the favourite activity of political parties in the run-up to the polls. But even as they are trying to get the inside dope of other parties, political leaders are also looking behind their shoulders to see if their secrets are being stolen by someone.

Though it was Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi's order to spy on leaders which got publicised, the fact remains that the Congress and the Telugu Desam are also into the snooping business. Despite holding the reins of the state, the Congress is also the victim of spying and key decisions have leaked out. One Congress leader said that close relatives are working in different parties and it was only natural for them to share information. There are also those who leak out secrets to return past favours form rival parties.

Mostly the blame is laid on the doorsteps of the media. "Many journalists who get secret information are carrying it from one camp to another for various benefits," said a Congress leader. The other day, the Congress MP, Mr Undavalli Arun Kumar, became a victim of such a leakage. He held a press conference on the purchase of 'grabbed' lands by the Telugu Desam president Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu's family members.

Though Arun Kumar held the press conference at noon TD leaders came to know about his revelations in the morning itself. This helped Mr Naidu to immediately react to the charges. Sources said that the MP shared the information with a senior journalist of a TV channel, who promptly leaked it to the TD.

Though the TD benefited from this leak, it is also a victim of spying. "We are not sure how information pertaining to the party is landing in the hands of the Congress," said a senior TD leader. "Some leaders are under suspicion." The TD circles are rife with stories about the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy's sudden generosity towards TD MLAs. "I am told that YSR sent a bag full of money to an MLA who is in dire straits," said a source. "He also helped a woman TD leader solve a family problem."

And Chiranjeevi has been the worst victim of spying with his orders to snoop on leaders itself being filmed secretly and leaked out. The Praja Rajyam leaders have finally zeroed in on a staffer in the party headquarters who was earlier a member of the TD. But he denied the charges. The situation is equally bad in TRS camp. All the dope on the secret meetings is leaked out. "We take it easy since we only have one thing to discuss Telangana," said a TRS MLA.

‘Midnight masala’ at GHMC

Hyderabad, Nov. 9: The formation of Greater Hyderabad has surely imposed a greater workload on civic officials. Working during the day was itself difficult for many middle-level officials, but now they are forced to work at night as well. Right from the commissioner to additional commissioners and deputy commissioners, most officials are out in the field inspecting ongoing works at various places in city.

Sometimes the inspection tours stretch well past the midnight. The trend of night inspections had been started by the former commissioner, Dr C.V.S.K. Sarma, who is now the principal secretary (municipal administration and urban development).

He preferred to conduct inspections at night so that he did not miss working hours during the day. Officials used to grumble about being asked to go out for inspections at night, but Dr Sarma was insistent and led by example. He would regularly conduct night inspections and would be back in the office early in the morning.

This robbed many officials of their "beauty sleep" and they would come back to the office bleary-eyed in the morning. The new process was christened "midnight masala" by mediapersons. Dr Sarma conducted over 50 night inspections during his tenure and they resulted in suspension of a couple of contractors and officials for non-functioning of street lights.

When Dr Sarma was replaced by Mr S.P. Singh as the GHMC commi-ssioner, officials thought that the night inspections had come to an end. But their joy was short lived. Mr Singh too continued the night visits and Mr Praveen Prakash, who was posted as special commissioner recently, is making field visits round the clock. Officials are now resigned to the fact that "midnight masala" is here to stay.

Crowds don’t come cheap

Hyderabad, Nov. 3: On an average a political party needs to spend about Rs 10 crore to mobilise five lakh people for a public meeting. Though no party is willing to go on record about this for obvious reasons, they all concur with this figure in private.

"On an average, a party has to spend Rs 150 per worker," said a senior leader. "This includes wages, food and water. The transportation cost is not included. If you add transportation cost, it goes up to Rs 200 per head, depending on the mode of transport." Nowadays, parties have to hire people for meetings. The era of people walking kilometres to hear speeches of their favourite leaders is long gone. "The cost of cutouts, banners, hoardings, advertisements and other paraphernalia is apart from this," said the leader.

Huge amounts were spent on Chiranjeevi’s public meeting at Tirupati. It is also said that the Congress spent Rs 15 crore for Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s meetings at Tirupati and Anantapur. As many as 4,000 APSRTC buses were hired for the public meeting besides 1,000 transport buses from Karnataka. Interestingly, the entire crowd was mobilised from within the district. Similarly, the Congress reportedly spent Rs 9 crore to hire buses for Tirupati SHGs for the "interaction" with Mrs Sonia Gandhi. And after doing all this, parties surely want the media to report huge figures.

Cops generally calculate crowds by estimating that 5,000 people can stand on an acre of open land. For instance, the public meeting at Anantapur was held in an 80 acre plot. This means that there were around four lakh people there and around two lakh in the surrounding roads.

State in grip of yatra fever

Hyderabad, Nov. 3: Massive public meetings and yatras have become the order of the day in Andhra Pradesh as election fever grips the political parties. The competition is growing by the day. Megastar Chiranjeevi’s massive public meeting at Tirupati for the launch of the Praja Rajyam has prompted other parties to organise similar shows to display their strength by mobilising lakhs of people.

It is estimated that about five lakh people attended Chiranjeevi’s first public meeting on August 27. On that day, Tirupati was flooded with people from all parts of the State. They came in trucks, buses, trains, cars and two wheelers. The frenzied reaction of crowds when Chiranjeevi came on stage was brought to drawing rooms by television channels. The think-tanks of the Congress and the Telugu Desam immediately got down to work to organise similar mega meetings.

The Congress arranged an "interaction" between party chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and two lakh women self help group members at Tirupati on September 12, and billed it the largest gathering of women. Similarly, the public meeting of the Congress at an 80-acre site on the outskirts of Anantapur town was a equally grand show. Around five to seven lakh people participated in it.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, was all praise for the ministers Mr N Raghuveera Reddy, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Mr Botsa Satyanarayana, who arranged the programme. Not to be outdone, Telugu Desam is planning to conduct a mega Yuva Garjana in Guntur on November 5.

The party supremo, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has reportedly directed his colleagues to make it grander than the shows organised by Chiranjeevi and Congress. The target is 10 lakh people. Meanwhile, the senior TD leader, Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, has alleged that the government was trying to put obstacles at every step for the proposed TD rally. "We asked the APSRTC to provide sufficient number of buses but they are reluctant. However, they did the same for the Congress," he said. "They are insisting on payment of Rs 10,000 as deposit for every bus. Similarly, we sought three trains to ferry people from different parts of the state. Despite these hurdles, we will present a grand show."

The senior Congress leader and former PCC chief, Mr P. Narsa Reddy, admitted that all parties are being compelled to put up mega shows. Parties are pumping in crores of rupees to mobilise people, to put up colourful hoardings, banners, flags, and to rent thousands of vehicles, not to speak of giving out advertisements in newspapers and TV channels. "Earlier, we just had to give free food and water to people," said Mr Narsa Reddy. "Now you have to shell out cash like one pays for daily wagers along with providing other facilities."

But the moot question is whether such meetings and road shows persuade people to vote for a party. "It is a million dollar question," said Dr Mysoora Reddy. "Ultimately, you don’t know what goes on in the minds of people."

NTR: The pioneer of rath yatras

Kakinada, Nov. 3: Every other political leader is taking out a rath yatra these days to gain public support. But none of them are able to match late Telugu Desam founder-leader N.T. Rama Rao who pioneered the concept. Politicians of the state preferred to address the public from the stage till then. But NTR adopted a new style and took to the roads, meeting people in their villages and towns.

His "Chaithanya Ratham" covered 72,000 kilometres in the state in a span of 35 days during the run up to the Assembly elections in 1983. Driven by his son Harikrishna (who is a Telugu Desam Rajya Sabha member now), NTR extensively toured the state with the song Maa Telugu Talliki Mallapudanda playing on loud speakers. And wherever he went, he attracted large crowds even if it was late in the night or early in the morning. And the speeches he delivered in his powerful voice really stirred the masses. The Chaithanya Ratham tour is still the role model for politicians.

NTR’s son in law and TD chief, Mr Chandrababu Naidu toured about 10,000 km in 115 days as part of his Meekosam rath yatra recently. Similarly, megastar Chiranjeevi is now on the first leg of his Praja Ankita yatra in the state in his specially designed chariot. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, too depends on yatras to shore up his image. His padayatra before the 2004 elections catapulted him to power and his official programmes such as Palle Baata and Nagara Baata were also in the same mode.

But none of these leaders have been able to match NTR in charisma and sheer tenacity. Political analysts say that the only the Prajaswamya Ratham of the former Chief Minister, Mr Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, evoked a similar public response in 1985.

Prayers take off before mission

Nellore, Oct. 22: It is not just the skills of ISRO scientists that ensured the smooth liftoff of Chandrayaan but also their fervent prayers. All top Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists including the chairman, Dr Madhavan Nair, have been offering prayers for several days seeking divine help to make the moon mission a successful one. Majority of the employees and their families living in ISRO colonies in Sriharikota spaceport have also been visiting places of worship.

Mr Madhavan Nair and his wife regularly prays at the Sri Changalaparameswari temple located close to Sulllurpeta every time when he visits the Shar centre and especially before launches. Engineers, other staff and their families living in ISRO colonies prefer to worship at a temple located in Shar centre, which was consecrated by the Kanchikamakoti peetam. Idols of all the important Hindu deities are installed in the temple.

Similarly, people have also been thronging a church and a mosque in the colonies. "We have chanted Hanuman chalisa at the temple on Saturday seeking blessing for the rocket launch," says Ms Swetha who lives in Shar colony. "It is a practice for students to assemble at the temple and recite Hanuman chalisa whenever there is any launch."

Mr Purushottam, an engineer, said that he and his family members had regularly been going to the church to ensure the success of the lunar mission. "Since we work round the clock prior to the mission, our families get very concerned about it," said an ISRO official. "They seek the intervention of God because they want our efforts to succeed."

Local people in Sullurpeta have also been visiting temples to seek divine help for the success of the mission. In fact, Mr Madhavan Nair, during his visit to Changalamma temple on Tuesday, was delighted to meet Lakshmi Ragahva Srivalli, a local girl who had performed pooja for the success of the moon mission. He gave her his autograph as a token of gratitude.

Diwali dhamaka, ready-made

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Oct. 27: Time was when mothers used to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare sweets and dishes for Diwali. As children played with firecrackers, womenfolk would bring mouth-watering laddus and gulab jamuns for refreshment. But times they are a-changing’, as the singer crooned, and the era of home made sweets has all but disappeared. Instead, people celebrate Diwali with expensive gift hampers of mithais, dry fruits, jams, sherbets, cookies, exotic chocolates and Turkish coffee. Most women go to work these days and rarely get time to prepare sweets at home. Also, sweet shops offer a wider variety of stuff. No wonder sales in sweet shops increase by 50 times during Diwali season.

"With both partners working, we have to depend on packaged sweets," says Ms M. Gayatri, software engineer in Sum Total Systems in Hyderabad. "We simply don’t get time to cook." Even those women who prepare sweets at home opt for easy-to-make items such as laddoos. "Making sweets is time consuming and tedious," says Ms Padma, a housewife. "If we opt for readymade sweets in sweet shops, we will have lot of variety." And most people still let themselves go during Diwali and eat all kinds of sweets. In the end, they suffer from tummy ache.

In earlier days, families used to prepare a kind of herbal digestive made of ginger, garlic, black pepper and jaggery in order to settle their stomach. Nowadays, people rush to doctors. In fact, doctors get almost an equal number of ‘tummy ache’ cases after Diwali as they get ‘cracker burn’ cases. "Give your stomach a break and go slow on all the sweets or you will land up with an upset tummy," advises Dr Soma Prashant of Owaisi Hospital.

Dr J.V.Rao of J.R.D. Hospital says that one should have sweets that are low in fat and high in proteins. "However, even these sweets should be eaten in moderation as the sugar content is very high," he adds. Of course, you should enjoy the festive season but should not punish your body. Have plenty of vegetables, cereals, and fruits along with sweets. If fact, the health-conscious new generation revellers have already taken to celebrating Diwali with low calorie cookies, chocolates and cakes rather than traditional sweets such as Gulab jamun,jalebi, besan ke laddoo and kaju barfi, just as they opt for designer diyas rather than earthen ones. Also, Diwali without a bottle of beer has become unthinkable for many of the youth. There is huge rush at local liquor stores, pubs and bars and Diwali-eve as well as the festival night.

Similarly, instead of gold, people buy electronic goods such as TVs and DVDs during Diwali. And companies vie with each other to give discount offers to customers. Families also buy furniture and household goods to give a new look to their home during the festival. However, the core traditions still remain intact. The day usually begins with Lakshmi pooja and exchange of sweets with family and friends. At night, firecrackers brighten up the sky and people light diyas outside their houses. And in their hearts, there glows the hope of better times.

TD men disobey Naidu

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Oct. 31: The Telugu Desam leaders are interested in getting media attention, side-stepping the party president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu’s advice to take up protest programmes on issues affecting the common man. As the Assembly elections are fast approaching, the TD leaders are now becoming more media conscious creating problems for Mr Naidu.

This became clear on Thursday when the senior party leaders, Mr E. Dayakar Rao and Mr S. Venugopalachari, held separate media conferences on the same issue. After holding a meeting at the NTR Bhavan, Mr Dayakar Rao and Mr Venugopalachari held separate media conferences on the contentious Babli project. When asked why this was so, Mr Dayakar Rao said: "I conducted the meeting and told the media that I will hold a press meet. My colleagues disclosed the details before the scheduled press meet. What can I do?"

Meanwhile, former minister Mr T. Srinivasa Yadav did not attend the TD’s Hyderabad wing meeting held at NTR Bhavan. Mr Yadav had also stayed away from the party state committee meeting convened on Thursday.

TG stickers annoy traffic cops

Hyderabad, Nov 12: The Nava Telangana party’s (NTP) innovative ‘number plate’ agitation is turning out to be a major headache for motorists and the police. As part of this agitation the party activists are sticking ‘TG’ stickers on number plates of vehicles over the usual ‘AP’ tag.

This follows the party’s declaration of the birth of the Telangana state on November 2, a day after the celebration of 53rd Andhra Pradesh Formation Day. Police fears that anti-social elements may misuse this agitation. It is the usual practice of criminals to use vehicles with fake number plates to confuse cops.

"This agitation will give them an occasion to indulge in such mischief freely," said a senior cop. Traffic cops are also worried that the tampering of number plates will make it difficult for them to trace those motorists who violate traffic rules. Though changing number plates is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, the transport department is hesitating to take action since it involves a sensitive issue. The government initially thought the NTP agitation would not have much impact since the party did not have a big network in the city.

However, NTP printed thousands of stickers and distributed it to sympathisers of Telangana. Each activist has been asked to paste 100 stickers a day. Though the Home, minister, Mr K. Jana Reddy, had warned of string action against those who tamper with number plates, the NTP decided to continue the agitation since it had grabbed the media attention. In fact, the number plate agitation has given the NTP more publicity than a dozen rallies.

PR guarded on BJP’s invitation

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 14: Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi reacted in a guarded manner to the BJP senior leader, Mr L.K. Advani’s public invitation to support the party to carve out Telangana state.

"This is not the time to think whether we will join the NDA or not," Chiranjeevi told the mediapersons on Friday at PR office in Hyderabad. The remark set off speculation that Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam and the BJP would move together in the polls if the Left parties tying up with the Telugu Desam. The actor-turned-politician took exception to the remarks of the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, during a road show on Thursday, on how Chiranjeevi who did not do anything for his village could work for people in AP.

"Though I was born in Mogalturu, I was not raised there. Our family kept moving due to my father’s frequent transfers. So the entire state is mine," Chiranjeevi said.

YSR beats all in the dole game

Hyderabad, Nov. 14: Politicians promise the moon while out of power but after securing the gaddi, they cite "lack of funds" to reject even legitimate demands.

But the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, is cast in a different mould. He often obliges people on impulse. Take the case of vocational teachers who took their grievances to him immediately after he took charge as the Chief Minister.

When Dr Reddy was told that they were getting a meagre monthly salary of Rs 1,500, he immediately directed the education department to increase their salary by 100 per cent. Even the teachers were surprised since they did not make such a demand.

He also asked the education department to give vocational teachers 15 percent salary increase every year. After four years, the teachers met him again seeking regularisation. Since rules do not permit this at present, Dr Reddy asked his special secretary, Mr Prabhakar Reddy, to increase their salary by another 100 per cent.

In public meetings too, Dr Reddy makes it a point to read the placards and banners raising various demands loudly and give assurances before starting his speech.

When some farmers from the Guntur met him requesting water for their lands, he made it a point to issue an order making it mandatory to give water for two crops in a year. Dr Reddy, is in fact, keen on seeing to it that every section in society gets some benefit from his government, enough to prod them to vote him back to power. This sometimes worries officials who have to take care of the nitty-gritty. While they are struggling to construct two lakh houses per year for weaker sections, the Chief Minister makes plans for 40 lakh houses.

Dr Reddy cannot be blamed since he has to match the promises being made the Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam. As soon as they announce a dole, he comes out with a better package than theirs. This silences them.

At present, the Chief Minister is announcing so many sops that his rivals can’t keep track of them, not to speak of bettering them. And when he gets into the people-friendly mood, cops have nightmares. "Cross the barricades and come near me," he tells the public at meetings and his security men’s hearts skip a beat.

AP politicians busy in ‘Scheming’ benefit

Rajahmundry, Sept. 28: Elected representatives demanding a "cut" in works executed in their strongholds is nothing new. However, the government’s "development slogan" has added a whole new dimension to this growing demand.

Nowadays, politicians have even started intimidating officials to make them allot development works in their areas. The usual threat is to transfer the official or to trap him or her in an Anti-Corruption Bureau case.

Once the petrified official allots the work, the representative colludes with the contractor to get his percentage. As the Congress government has introduced several welfare schemes, public representatives from panchayat ward members to MPs are falling over each other to get schemes for their constituencies.

No political party is exempt from the percentage craze and officials have to kowtow to the demands of leaders from all parties. Recently, the Telugu Desam corporators in the Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation made a big hue and cry for sanction of funds to all the 50 divisions equally.

They alleged that works were sanctioned only in the divisions represented by the Congress. It was also alleged that Congress corporators have also been able to squeeze in the names of their cohorts in the list of beneficiaries for various schemes. Opposition parties are therefore saying that the welfare schemes are benefiting the Congress workers and nobody else.

Some officials are making hay by joining hands with politicians belonging to the ruling party. But those who are honest and straightforward are finding it very difficult to work. Many of them are now trying to get transfers to escape from the "development agenda". "How long we can tolerate this?" wondered an official. "Even high-level elected representatives are directly asking for percentages."

‘MLA’ fools minister

Hyderabad, Sept. 26: A fraudster pretending to be Burugupudi MLA, Mr Chittori Ravindra, cheated the panchayatraj minister, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy, of Rs 50,000 and the Nalgonda MLA, Mr Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, of around Rs 40,000. Central Crime Station sleuths registered a case of cheating as per the complaint lodged by Mr V. Haranath, additional private secretary of Mr Diwakar Reddy.

According to the complainant, a person claiming to be Mr Ravindra called the minister on September 9 at around 7 pm from the number 9704646892 and requested him to immediately transfer Rs 50,000 to his account to help his daughter pay her exam fee.

The man claimed that his daughter, who was studying in Mumbai, had lost all her money and would not be able to write her exams. On the minister’s instruction, Mr Haranath then transferred the money online to the account of one Ram Prasad Viswanath through ICICI Bank Khairatabad.

"The person then called me and asked me the details of the minister’s account number so that he could repay the money," said the private secretary. However, the minister realised he had been fooled when Mr Ravindra visited him 15 days later. The MLA said he had not called the minister and also added that he had no daughter.

The fraudster also duped the Nalgonda MLA and two senior employees of Mahindra and Mahindra in using the same modus operandi. Police is investigating the case.

PR yatra may be postponed

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Sept. 24: Mr Sambasiva Rao, who joined the Prajya Rajyam from the Mahajan Party, became the latest to join the ranks of sulking leaders in the actor’s party. Mr Rao has decided to keep himself away from PR activities, though he has not resigned. Mr Rao and some Mahajan Party leaders had pledged support to Chiranjeevi much before Praja Rajyam. He told this correspondent that he was opposed to the merger of the Mahajan Party and the PR.

Though the sulking leaders are not really high profile, observers feel that these developments may affect future political migrations into the PR. The woes of leaders who joined the PR continued. On Wednesday, Ms P. Karuna, daughter of the veteran CPI(M) leader Mallu Swarajyam, who joined the PR a few days ago, was denied entry into the party central office. She was allowed in only when her followers tried to gatecrash into office.

Meanwhile, the launch of Chiranjeevi’s tour is getting delayed because of his indecisiveness on issues like Telangana statehood, categorisation of SCs and SEZs. “We will appoint committees to examine the issues like Telangana in two days,” Chiranjeevi said on Wednesday.

Naidu hunts for winning slogan

Hyderabad, Sept. 23: The Telugu Desam is in search of a powerful slogan like Telugu Atma Gouravam (Telugu self respect) which had rocked the state in 1983 and helped the party win the election. The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, is asking all his party men to come up with such a slogan. However, the slogans developed by his leaders have all been directed against the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekar Reddy. The party’s deputy leader, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy came up with the slogan Puli Raju pani ayipoyindi (Tiger Raju’s work is over).

Mr Naidu did not like the Chief Minister being called Puli Raju and rejected the slogan. Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao suggested "Mr Ten per cent" for Dr Rajasekhar Reddy, pointing to the level of corruption with the slogan. Mr Naidu rejected this suggestion also.

The party had earlier come up with a slogan Swarnandhrapradesh (Golden Andhra Pradesh) before the 2004 elections. Most of the leaders were keen to retain the same slogan as it was widely publicised and had became popular. However, Mr Naidu was not satisfied and told his party leaders to search for an ideal slogan in the run-up for elections.

He made it clear that it should not be negative slogan targeting one person or party, but one that could elevate the Telugu Desam on the whole. After coming to power in 1996, Mr Naidu coined Prajala Kosam... Pragati Kosam (for the people.. for the development) and used it until 2002. Then came the Swarnandhrapradesh slogan along with Vision 2020. "We are looking at a powerful slogan which can motivate the party activists and attract the people to the party. The earlier slogans will not be abandoned. New slogans are refreshing," said Mr Ravula Chandrasekar Reddy, the party’s general secretary.

Chiru is no hero for former heroines

Hyderabad, Sept. 22: Many heroines who ran around trees and sang lovey-dovey duets with Chiranjeevi in reel life are spurning him in the political arena. On screen, their eyelashes fluttered with adoration on seeing the hero, but now many of them talk as if they can’t bear the sight of him. Roja, the president of Telugu Mahila, the women’s wing of the Telugu Desam, was Chiranjeevi’s heroine in many films. Some of the films, including Mutha Mestri, were blockbusters.

But now Roja has no good words for her former hero. In fact, she lashes out at him every day. "His role is nil when it comes to helping the needy in times of natural disasters in the state," says Roja. Vijayashanti, who has acted in the most number of films with Chiranjeevi and was considered to be the heroine who most suited him, is also a bitter critic of the star.

Both of them are in the opposite poles of the political spectrum and fans are sad to see them snipe at each other. But there are chances of the lucky pair getting together again. Vijayashanti is planning to merge her political outfit with the Telangana Rastra Samiti. And if the TRS joins hands with the Praja Rajyam, then fans will see Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti together in a campaign van.

Popular heroine Nagma, who acted with Chiranjeevi in many films, is now in the Congress. Chances are that she will be campaigning against Chiranjeevi. Similarly, Jaya Sudha, who donned some good roles with Chiranjeevi is all set to join the Congress to spearhead the attack against her screen hero. However, the megastar may find some relief in another former heroine Jaya Prada, whose Samajwadi Party is trying for an alliance with Praja Rajyam.

But if the SP sticks on to its alliance with the Congress and Chiranveevi goes against the latter, then even Jayaprada may have to lash out at the actor. The only exception would be actress Suhasini who is likely to join Praja Rajyam.

Naidu spoils Chiru’s tour

Hyderabad, Sept. 22: The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has spoiled Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi’s high-profile tour even before it has been launched. Mr Naidu has decided to launch the second phase of his Mee Kosam Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti, when Chiranjeevi was also planning to set out on his tour. Though the Praja Rajyam leadership had asked Chiranjeevi fans associations to prepare for the tour, it has not bothered to officially announce the schedule so far.

Seizing upon this lapse, Mr Naidu decided to commence the second round of Mee Kosam Yatra on October 2. “Now, the Praja Rajyam tour launch would not get much media coverage, as we are also launching our campaign on the same day,” said a senior TD leader. Mr Naidu also outsmarted Chiranjeevi by announcing that fight against corruption would be his theme for the second round of Mee Kosam.

This too would steal the wind from Chiranjeevi’s sails since he had also been planning to lash out at corruption during his tour. Through these moves, Mr Naidu has scored over the megastar, whose party is yet to learn the ropes of the political game. The TD chief would start his tour from Manchiryal in Adilabad district, where the Yellampally project has been taken up. He would be raising the corruption allegation relating to the project again to give impetus to his tour.

He will also spend time in tribal areas, where several people have died reportedly because of the lack of proper medical facilities. “Mr Naidu would spend a night in a remote village in the Adilabad district to know the conditions there first hand.” said Mr Ravula Chandrasekar Reddy, senior leader.

Politicians go party hopping

Hyderabad, Sept. 22: Former minister Tammineni Seetharam remained inaccessible for over a week, refusing even to entertain the Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu’s calls. The reason was obvious: Mr Seetharam had jumped the wagon to join Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam.

Meanwhile, after flirting with the TRS and the BJP for some time, Ravula Ravindranath Reddy, a former BJP MLA from Mahbubnagar, chose to go with the Congress. Actors Rajasekhar and Jeevitha — who have a running feud with Chiranjeevi — too have finally joined the Congress.

Not just these high-profile names, politicians big and small are busy realigning their loyalties. Take the case of M. Shivakumar, a Zaheerabad resident who was recently appointed the spokesperson for the Telugu Yuvatha. However, within a week, he quit the TD to join the Praja Rajyam.

"It is a new party and we will have better prospects," reasoned Mr Shivakumar. Each day some politician or the other is quitting one party to join another, mostly to enhance their own prospects. In all this, the TD seems the worst hit with most desertions, as many senior leaders have moved over to Chiranjeevi’s party. Beginning with Bhuma Nagi Reddy, Sobha Nagi Reddy, Harirama Jogaiah, K. Vidyadhara Rao, the flow continued with Vanga Geetha, C. Ramachandraiah, Thota Trimurthulu, J. Nehru, Rehman and Yanamala Venkat Rao (brother of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, the TD politburo member).

So far, the Praja Rajyam has attracted the largest number of leaders. The ruling Congress, however, has remained largely unaffected by floor crossing thanks to the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s good image. The Congress is still on a strong wicket and the party leadership does not expect any desertions in the coming months. So far, only Harirama Jogaiah, an MP, has quit the Congress for the Praja Rajyam.

The APCC president, Mr D. Srinivas openly welcomed people to join the Congress. "We are looking for second-rung leaders. If they are committed to party programmes and policies, we will welcome them subject to approval of the party. The Congress is a winning horse and we will be in the saddle again," he claimed.

Sources in the Congress expect more leaders from other parties to join the Congress before the polls. "We are expecting a large number of leaders and activists, mostly from the TD, to join us in the coastal districts," a Congress MLC said. He said, opportunities and caste equations are the driving forces for the TD leaders to quit in the coastal district. The TRS, the BJP and T. Devender Goud’s outfit have not been too lucky in terms of attracting leaders.