Chiranjeevi trying to misuse celebrity status’

Chiranjeevi trying to misuse celebrity status’

YSR is doing good work and there is no need for a new party , says Jeevitha

— Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam On the offensive: Star couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha, addressing a media conference in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Star couple Rajsekhar and Jeevitha said that their campaign to enlighten the people, on what they called ‘game plan’ of Chiranjeevi to cash in on the love and affection of the people, was paying off with many youth realising that there was a difference between ‘reel’ and ‘real’ life.

The actor couple is campaigning in north Andhra on behalf of the Congress. Addressing a media conference here on Friday, they said that some youth were in dilemma on whom to vote as they had already seen the Congress and Telugu Desam rule. “These youth were convinced after we told them that heroism in film and in real life was different,” they said.

Referring to service activities, they said that they had already been doing several service programmes through their trust but had not sought publicity. Claiming that they were attracted by the welfare schemes of Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy, they said they had joined the party, as it would mean a bigger dais for helping more people.

While admitting that Chiranjeevi was the topmost hero and continues to be so in the film industry, Ms. Jeevitha felt it was wrong to ‘misuse’ celebrity status. “Had he contested for the post of an MLA or MP with the objective of becoming a minister, we wouldn’t have opposed him.

He nurtures the desire to become the Chief Minister,” she said.

She felt that Chiranjeevi could have joined hands and participate in the good work done by Rajasekhara Reddy, if he was really interested in helping the poor.

When her attention was drawn to the fact that NTR had floated a new party to oppose the Congress, she said that the situation was different then.

There was a political vacuum at that time and people were unhappy with the then rulers. “YSR is doing good work and there is no need for a new party,” she said.

Ms. Jeevitha said that she needed more experience and she presently had greater responsibilities like taking care of the kids, when asked whether the party had not recognised their services.

The couple also felt that electing the ‘Maha Kutami’ (Grand Alliance) would result in a daily fight between the alliance partners.