YSR Congress not to back NDA after 2014 polls

Sharmila sets conditions for supporting Left -led Third Front or Congress-led UPA alliance to form next government at the Centre.

Published: 17th May 2013 08:48 AM  |   Last Updated: 17th May 2013 12:07 PM

By JR Prasad

The YSRC leadership has made it clear that the party would not join hands with the BJP-led NDA after the next general elections even if the alliance would be in a position to form the government at the Centre.

Even as the one-year countdown to the 2014 general elections is set to begin on May 20, YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister Sharmila, who completed 2,000 km of her ‘Maro Praja Prasthanam’ padayatra on Thursday, ruled out the possibility of her party supporting the BJP-led NDA.

Sharmila, who is now undertaking the padayatra in West Godavari district, interacted with a few reporters of national dailies at Ravikampadu in  Chinthalapudi Assembly constituency, on Thursday. Sharmila said her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy was against any electoral understanding with the BJP.

“We can’t support the BJP-led NDA after the polls. If we do, the minorities will suffer. Our party doesn’t want any alliances at national level that are detrimental to the interests of the minorities,” said Sharmila.

When reminded of a statement made by YS Vijaya Laskhmi some months ago that the YSRC might support the UPA after the 2014 polls, which created a furore in political circles, Sharmila said her mother was quoted out of context by the media.

“Jagananna feels whichever alliance that wants to form the government at the Centre after the 2014 polls will have to take the support of the YSRC. BJP-led NDA, Congress-led UPA and Left-led Third Front would be the possible contenders. We won’t support the BJP-led NDA. Then we will have to back either the UPA or the Third  Front.”

If the Third Front is in a position to form the government, the YSRC would extend its support to it, provided the interests of the state are looked after.

If the Third Front cannot secure the required numbers and the UPA does, then the YSRC will extend outside support to the UPA.

“If the UPA promises to take up major irrigation projects in the state, like Polavaram and Pranahita-Chevella, and waive agricultural loans, then we will not hesitate to back the UPA. What we feel is that our (family) differences with the Congress should not affect the development of the state. Why should the state suffer for our sake?” she asked.

Earlier, on the completion of 2,000 km padayatra, Sharmila was joined by her mother Vijaya Lakshmi and party MLAs at Ravikampadu. She will be walking for another 1,000 km to reach Ichchapuram in the northern tip of the state to set the record of being the first woman to walk 3,000 km.

Politics not my cup of tea: Sharmila

 Published: 17th May 2013 12:07 PM  |   Last Updated: 17th May 2013 12:07 PM

By JR Prasad

Like her father, she talks little. Like her father, she waves her hand too and invariably, brings to mind his image. Like her brother, she gives a peck to kids, women and the old on the forehead. She even hugs the women who come to greet her. And, she asks one thing of them: “Amma! Mee Rajanna Kuthurni, Jagananna Chellelani! Jaganannanu Aseervadinchandi (I am your YSR’s daughter, Jagan’s sister! Bless your brother Jagan)”.

Late YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s daughter Sharmila, who crossed 2,000 kilometres as part of her padayatra on Thursday, is determined to continue her walk till the northern tip of the state and cover another 3,000 kilometres!

Speaking to select media on the occasion at Ravikampadu in  Chinthalapudi Assembly constituency, West Godavari district, she made it clear that she had no political ambitions as claimed by rival parties.

“Politics is not at all my cup of tea. My straight forward mentality is not suitable for politics. I am undertaking the padayatra only to fulfil the wishes of the poor who want to see Jagan as CM to bring back YSR’s golden regime. I am even ready to lay down my life for the sake of my brother, whose greatest calling is to serve the people,” said Sharmila in an emotional voice.

She does not even like to be called the YSRC’s star campaigner. “The affection of the people really intoxicates me,” she said while playing down her role and quickly moved on to talk about her brother. “He is a very courageous man and is not afraid of threats being issued by the ruling Congress,” she asserted.

Taking on the Congress, she reiterated that the party had no guts to let Jagan out of jail. “They fear that the moment he comes out, the party will be washed away. But even if Jagan is kept in jail till 2014, I am sure our party will sweep the elections. Either way, it helps us gain sympathy of the people,” she said.

According to Sharmila, though her brother is in prison, he is very much at the helm of affairs in the party. “Even now, every decision in the party is finalised by Jagan only,” she revealed.

The optimistic Sharmila felt that despite Jagan’s prolonged incarceration, the YSRC was becoming stronger by the day and cited the influx of leaders from other parties into YSRC to buttress her argument.

She was candid enough to admit that entry of newcomers into the party is creating trouble in some segments. “All these internal disturbances will go away as the polls draw close.”

Sharmila is planning to take a week-long break from her padayatra during the local elections to let the party cadre focus on them.

Sharmila, who embarked on her walkathon on October 18 last year from Idupulapaya, had to take a break for one month after her knee was fractured on November 14 at BN Reddy Nagar in Hyderabad. She resumed her padayatra on February 6.

Chiranjeevi may Retire from Politics

Published: 23rd March 2015 06:01 AM  |   Last Updated: 23rd March 2015 06:01 AM

By J R Prasad

HYDERABAD: Congress Rajya Sabha member and Tollywood star K Chiranjeevi, who has been in political sabbatical ever since the party’s rout in last year’s Assembly polls in AP, is understood to be considering retirement from politics.

The actor-turned-politician, who had floated Praja Rajyam Party ahead of 2009 elections - drawing inspiration from the legendary N T Rama Rao’s illustrious political career - merged his party with the Congress after failing miserably at the hustings.

Sources told Express that he is now seriously contemplating whether to follow in the footsteps of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan who had dabbled in politics only to abruptly bow out and get back to films. “Chiranjeevi is unhappy with his political career. He is of the view that he is not suitable for ‘Congress-mark’ politics. He feels isolated in the party,” a close aide of the mega star said.

Another associate of the actor was more forthcoming, “He regrets entering politics and believes that it has tarnished his larger than life image as a matinee idol.”

Chiru Likely to Retire from Politics

 Published: 23rd March 2015 06:04 AM  |   Last Updated: 23rd March 2015 06:04 AM

By JR Prasad

HYDERABAD: Congress MP K Chiranjeevi, who has been in political agnyatavas ever since the party’s rout in last year’s polls, is said to be considering political sanyas.

The actor-turned-politician, who had floated Praja Rajyam Party ahead of 2009 elections, drawing inspiration from the legendary NTR, is now seriously contemplating whether to follow in the footsteps of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who had dabbled in politics only to abruptly bow out, sources said.

“Chiranjeevi is unhappy with his political career. He is of the view that he is not suitable for ‘Congress-mark’ politics. He feels isolated in the party,” a close aide of the mega star said. His another associate, in fact, disclosed, “He is regretting his decision to enter politics and believes it has tarnished his larger than life image as a matinee idol.”

According to him, Chiranjeevi has concluded that quitting politics and getting back to films is the only way to regain his lost glory. However, a source said Chiranjeevi is not in a position to quit the Rajya Sabha but is keen on withdrawing from politics gradually.

Indicating which way the wind is blowing, Chiranjeevi was conspicuous by his absence in the Rajya Sabha recently when the House debated and amended the AP Reorganisation Act.

“Though a bitter debate was going on over issues such as land acquisition for the new capital of AP and Polavaram irrigation project, Chiranjeevi stayed back to finalise the script for his 150th flick. This itself indicates his losing interest in politics,” said sources adding that Chiru is these days focusing not only on his career but also on that of his son Ram Charan.

Chiru’s fans held a key meeting at the star’s blood bank here on Sunday under the leadership of his brother Nagendra Babu to discuss the political plans of the Congress MP.  During the meeting, some fans suggested that Chiranjeevi had better stay away from politics and start concentrating on his 150th flick. A few others advised Naga Babu to tells his brother to undertake welfare activities on behalf of the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust to regain some credibility. After the meeting, Ravanam Swamy Naidu, president of Chiranjeevi Yuvatha, said, “Henceforth, we will be undertaking massive social welfare activities to revive the image of Chiranjeevi”. Asked about Chiranjeevi’s reported plans to quit politics, he replied, “It is up to him. We will abide by whatever decision he takes. We will always remain with the mega star, come rain or shine.”