Chiru fails to draw politicians

Hyderabad Nov. 6: Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi successfully concluded the second leg of his Praja Ankita Yatra in Khammam district on Thursday night. Though he was able to draw crowds all through his yatra, he could not attract seasoned politicians from other parties in the Telangana region to his side, despite his acknowledging the need for the Telangana state. Chiranjeevi is planning to take up his second phase of Yatra in the Rayalaseema region from November 12 to 17, which will cover Kadapa and Anantapur districts. When Mr Chiranjeevi embarked on an eight-day tour of Telangana, his party managers were worried whether public response would be tame. His tour did in fact begin on a dull note at Siricilla. However, as his political caravan moved further, he succeeded in drawing huge crowds In most places, people from all walks of life and all ages thronged the roads to have a glimpse of their hero. But no leader crossed over to the Praja Rajyam. “Political migrations are main yardstick for any party to prove its public image, but nobody has joined our party,” said a senior Praja Rajyam leader. Some leaders attribute this lukewarm response to Chiranjeevi’s vague stance on separate Telangana state. They say if he takes a final stand on the burning issue, more might join him.