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.

PR leader blames unsuccessful ticket aspirants for controversies

PR leader blames unsuccessful ticket aspirants for controversies Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA: Praja Rajyam urban leader Bonda Srinivasa Rao on Friday held the unsuccessful ticket aspirants responsible for the “needless controversies” in the party in the past few weeks.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said urban convenor Boppana Bhava Kumar had left the party only because he did not get the party ticket for contesting from the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency. It would not be possible for the party leadership to please each and every leader who had an aspiration to contest in the elections, he said.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao asserted that there would be no damage to the party interests because of the exit of leaders like Kesineni Nani and Bhava Kumar.

He reiterated that the Praja Rajyam was the only party that ensured social justice in the allotment of ticket and it gave ticket to a Vaishya to contest from the Vijayawada West Assembly constituency.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao challenged the rival leaders to show proof of Praja Rajyam general secretary Allu Aravind demanding or accepting cash from any of the contesting candidates in the elections.

“If it is proved, we are ready to withdraw from active politics. We do not accept misinformation campaign by unsatisfied leaders,” he asserted.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao further claimed that physician G. Samaram, who resigned from the party, would remain with the party through its thick and thin. He pointed out that Dr. Samaram was one among the persons who brought Mr. Chiranjeevi into politics and the party would remain grateful to his services.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao took objection to Kesineni Nani making objectionable comments against the PRP top leaders. He advised Nani to maintain restraint and avoid making baseless allegations against the party leaders.

Preity Zinta on her latest film

The preity woman

Preity Zinta on her latest film Videsh, the Best Actress Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, and more

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In the industry, there will always be someone younger and hungrier standing behind you. Ten years ago, I was that person; now it’s someone else

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PHOTO: AFP CLOUD NINE Preity Zinta: ‘I was the first Indian to be nominated for the Genie Awards’

Preity Zinta has won the Best Actress Award in the Chicago International Film Festival for her role as a battered wife in Deepa Mehta’s “Videsh”. The film is based on true stories of women who faced domestic violence in a foreign la nd. The actor tells you why this film is special.

Today, young women work with actors aged 40 and above. Where does that leave senior actors such as you?

I said this when I entered the industry 10 years ago — there will always be someone younger and hungrier standing behind you. Ten years ago, I was that person; now it’s someone else. What I wanted then is not what I want now. I want different things today. There is a lot of potential in other things.

Once you achieve what you want to, you aim for something higher.

The buzz is you have signed a Yash Raj film with Aamir.

It’s just a rumour!

Of late, you’ve been doing different films, “Videsh” being the latest.

After playing an NRI girl in four films in a row, I got bored, and wanted a change. ‘Heroes’ and ‘Videsh’ gave me that opportunity. After this, I will have ‘Har Pall’ and ‘Main Aur Mrs. Khanna’ that are completely different. It will be fun to play an NRI girl again! (laughs)

You are playing a Punjabi girl again after “Heroes”. Was that easy?

I had to work on my Punjabi, because, contrary to popular belief, I don’t know Punjabi. I know only a few words such as Sat Sri Akal, balle balle, and chak de phatte. It was a departure from what I have done, but then, that’s what an actor’s job is about.

Were you apprehensive about working with a newcomer (Vansh Bhardwaj) in “Videsh”?

When I choose a script, I see where this film will take me as an actor. The director and cast are important, but you can’t sign films saying ‘I want only this actor’. I don’t think any established actor with an image would have worked for Vansh’s role. You needed somebody who would surprise you. When I am 80 years old, and look back, “Videsh” will be one of my memorable films. It doesn’t matter who else is there in the film; I am very proud of it.

Why do you say that?

“Videsh” is a huge departure from what I have done, in terms of the depth of the character. There are certain things we always brush under the carpet — unless we put them out in the open, I don’t think these matters will ever be dealt with.

Winning the Best Actress Award at the Chicago International Film Festival must have been quite an experience.

It feels great! I was the first Indian to be nominated for the Genie Awards (Canada). A lot of people came up to me and said: ‘Oh, you are an actress from India. Were have you been hiding all these years?’ It felt nice. Lots of Indians who watched the film too were appreciative. People are comparing “Videsh” with Aishwarya Rai’s “Provoked” since both deal with domestic violence.

Comparisons are bound to happen, but when people watch “Videsh”, they will know that these are very different films. It is not a film on just abuse. It deals with a lot of issues — immigration, the life of married young girls when they leave their countries etc.

Everyone’s preparing for the IPL. What about you?

I’m excited about IPL. Right now, our players are not here. . They’ll join us four days before the IPL begins.

Will you cheer for any team besides yours?

The cheers are obviously for your own child, but when my team is not playing I will cheer for anyone who hits a six or four.

MAULI SINGH

Bollywood News Service

‘Mariyaadhai’

‘Mariyaadhai’ marks the return of the Vikraman-Vijayakanth combination. malathi rangarajan talks to the director about the making of the film

It could be because Vijayakanth is doing a dual role (of an old and a not-so-old man) or because it marks the return of the Vikraman-Vijayakanth duo or it has Meena as one of its heroines. But the fact is that the promos of the soon-to-be released Mariyaadhai remind you of the super hit, Vaanathai Pola.

Director Vikraman is known for his family-oriented themes. Only once did he allow himself to be veered away from the genre. The film was Chennai Kaadhal, Vikraman’s last release. Three years ago, the Bharath-Genelia starrer began with a bang and ended in a whimper.

“The opening for Chennai Kaadhal was extremely encouraging but it couldn’t sustain. I wanted to try out a love story, and the end product didn’t turn out as expected. But I get bored of sticking to a particular kind of subject,” says Vikraman. Then why is he doing Mariyaadhai, which from the looks of it seems like his earlier film with Vijayakanth?

“I had a different story in mind but the producer felt that the proven line would be a safe bet. And the film has come out well.”

Surprisingly, he says the entire cast was decided by the producers. “Only Ramesh Kanna was my choice.” Healthy comedy has always been an integral part of Vikraman’s films — Vijayakanth’s levity-packed sequences in Vaanathai Pola still remain unforgettable. “The trend will continue in Mariyaadhai. Ramesh Kanna has done well,” smiles Vikraman. “I believe comedy should blend well with story.”

Beginning with the hit, Pudhu Vasantham, which had Murali in the lead, Vikraman has worked with a wide range of heroes but has never repeated them. Vijayakanth has been the only exception. The hero and the helmsman have come together for the second time for Mariyaadhai.

Then and now

At the time of Vaanathai Pola Vijayakanth was only an actor. But now he’s a political leader too … “That hasn’t changed him in any way,” says Vikraman. “As far as charisma goes, earlier if a Vijayakanth shoot had 1,000 people flocking to the spot, today the number that converges to have a glimpse of their leader is easily more than 10,000! But he continues to be simple and down-to-earth. Not once has he reported late for work. And the best thing about him is that he never interferes in any department of filmmaking, be it direction, dance, stunts or costume. The dialogue of Mariyaadhai will have no political innuendos or overtones whatsoever.”

Composer S.A. Rajkumar (with his signature tunes) and Vikraman formed an inseparable combo in many films. “You may say that Rajkumar’s tunes were repetitive, but do you know that they have been aped in other countries and have become very popular. I was shocked to hear the same orchestration and tune of ‘Yaedho Oru Paattu’ being popular in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Songs in my films seem similar probably because I concentrate on melody and the minor scale is my favourite,” says Vikraman. So this time when Vijay Antony teamed up with him for Mariyaadhai, he made his choice clear to the composer and the two worked in unison. The audio discs of the film have created a record of sorts. “At a time when CDs don’t fetch much money, nearly 50,000 copies of the film’s songs have been sold,” Vikraman informs, and adds: “My next film will have a very different subject.

It will go on the floors in a couple of months and will be released in April 2010.” That’s a year almost! “I work at my own pace. In 19 years I’ve made just 15 films. I prefer to keep it that way.” Vikraman has given five consecutive wins in the past including Poovae Unakkaaga with Vijay, Unnidathil Ennai Koduthaen, with Karthik, Suryavamsam with Sarathkumar, Piriyamaana Thozhi with Madhavan and Unnai Ninaiththu with Suriya. So will Mariyaaadhai be Vikraman’s next big hit?

సేసిఅల్ న్యూస్ ఫర్ వొతెర్స్

Close contest on the cards in పితపురం

It’s a Congress, TDP contest

Shandies turn hot spots for campaigning

Rajendra faces formidable rivals

Power cuts irk rice millers

Harish Rao on strong wicket

BJP candidate takes to ‘e-campaign’

The dawn of summer wisdom

Hundreds of dead fish surface in Amber Lake

Aquaculture: feed makers play a major role

Naidu’s Anantapur tour has leaders in a fix

No force can stop PRP: Nagendrababu

Sedentary lifestyle among techies leads to DVT

Naidu has changed: Raghavulu

Spot valuation of SSC exam papers postponed

Erratic power cuts annoy consumers

TDP will call the shots at Centre, says Naidu

An average flick Film Review

‘Opposition has no issues’

Candidates depend on ‘star’ campaigners

Parakala claims he did not seek ticket

KCR flayed for fielding candidate in Husnabad

Uncle, nephew fight it out at Gajuwaka

‘Budameru needs attention’

Builders stoop to conquer

Muslims to support Congress candidate

EC must crack the whip

Collector’s directive on EVMs

Rahul to campaign in Godavarikhani today

TDP publicity van set afire

Slum-dwellers form outfit to fight for rights

Tourism Malaysia eyeing feeder cities

Rosaiah faults TDP’s cash transfer scheme

Collector’s directive to officials

11 killed in road accident

Rajasekhar surrenders, granted bail

Eleven killed in road accident

Four die after consuming poison

Liquor shops to be closed

Police conduct march in old city

Door-to-door canvassing allowed at night

Other I-cards permitted for polling

Battle-ready!

Summer camp at Kriya Yoga Samsthan

Leveraging IT

Graffiti absent

12.65 lakh seized from doctor’s house

Micro observers

Soaring high

VIP visit

Workshop on EVMs

Award for Lions zone chairman

New Rs.10 coin

Spiritual trip

NRIs’ tele-campaign

Devout gathering

Remembering Christ

100 BJP workers join Congress

Interaction with Arun Shourie

Novel approach

Abacus classes

Gung ho!

Holiday on April 16

MIM worker arrested

Height of thrill

Ask the Consul

Vocational training

Youth drowns in pool

Doctorate degree awarded

Fun and games at Walden bookstore

HC declares holiday on April 16

German classes

Excel in CAT

Chiranjeevi rubbishes cash scheme Staff Reporter ‘TDP has a dubious track record in implementing poll promises’ Promises to weed out political corruption Slams Congress, GA on Telangana issue Photo : Singam Venkataramana Crowd-puller: Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi addressing a public meeting in Nalgonda on Tuesday. — NALGONDA: Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi alleged that the TDP was trying to entice the voters with impractical schemes like cash transfer. Mr. Chiranjeevi, who was on a whirlwind election campaign in a helicopter, addressed several public meetings in the district on Tuesday to boost the electoral prospects of the party candidates. Addressing a moderate gathering at a public meeting held in Nalgonda on Tuesday, Mr. Chiranjeevi, who arrived more than two hours behind the schedule, demanded that the TDP leaders explain as to how they would mobilise thousands of crores to implement the cash transfer scheme. The TDP has a dubious track record in implementation of its promises. Training his guns on the Congress, he alleged that the persons at the helm of affairs looted crores of rupees public money under the pretext of development. The tribal hamlets in the district are plagued with a plethora of problems including fluorosis due to denial of basic amenities like drinking water. “The Praja Rajyam will weed out political corruption and ensure the fruits of development to all”, he asserted. On separate Telangana, he alleged that the promise made by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2004 has remained unfulfilled. The Congress and the Grand Alliance have no sincerity on the statehood issue, he said and asserted that the PRP has demonstrated its commitment by including “Samajika Telangana” in its manifesto.

PR leader held, cash seized

PR leader held, cash seized Staff Reporter He was caught transporting Rs. 95,000 just an hour ahead of Chiru’s public meeting in Munugode NALGONDA: Two persons, including a Praja Rajyam leader were arrested by the police and “unaccounted cash” was seized from their possession near Munugode on Tuesday. According to sources, a police team intercepted a car on the outskirts of Munugode during a vehicle checking operation and recovered Rs. 95,100 cash from the possession of PRP leader G. Linga Reddy. The incident happened an hour before PR president Chiranjeevi’s public meeting in Munugode. The police conducted the surprise check based on specific information that some political party leaders were transporting cash and trying to distribute the money to the people, sources said. When contacted, Munugode SI K. Kishan said Linga Reddy and the car driver Raji Reddy were arrested.

PRP candidate’s nomination accepted PCC member complains against the PRP nominee Collector in his seven-page order overrules objections Kakinada: The nomination of Praja Rajyam Party candidate for Kakinada Parliamentary constituency Chalamalasetty Sunil Kumar has been accepted by District Collector and Returning Officer Gopalakrishna Dwivedi at the end of a day-long hearing on the objections raised by Pradesh Congress Committee member Pantham Venkateswara Rao, who unsuccessfully contended that the defendant is not an Indian citizen, hence he was liable for disqualification. However, Mr. Sunil has proved that the charges framed against him were false and fabricated by producing the required evidences (Indian passport and PAN and voter identity cards) and thus corroborated his claims to Indian citizenship. Mr. Sunil is accused of possessing different passports issued at London in January 2003 and another one issued at Hyderabad in June 2004, mentioning his nationality in annual returns filed by him as a director of a London-based firm (Euro Andhra) as Indian and making contradictory statements of his date of birth. The crux of the issue was that Mr. Sunil had no conclusive proof of his Indian citizenship which was the basic qualification to contest. Mr. Venkateswara Rao and party have also downloaded certain documents from a UK Government website ( www.companieshouse.gov.in) which showed that Mr. Sunil is a British citizen but they could not produce supporting documents (evidence gathered from the Internet ought to have documentary proof). Another allegation faced by Mr. Sunil was that he did not file income tax returns in India up to 2007-08 as he himself stated in the affidavit submitted along with the nomination forms, that he was not ordinary resident of India. The Collector told media persons he was in the first place not competent to decide on citizenship and that all other matters raised by the complainants (those relating to Mr. Sunil’s date of birth, income tax returns and insolvency issues in relation to the company in which he was a director) were to be settled by the courts of law or other legal forums. Whether the PAN and voter identity cards and passport produced by Mr. Sunil to prove his citizenship contained forged information or not, the Returning Officer was not competent to decide their validity. “In case of reasonable doubt as to the validity of nomination papers, the benefit of doubt must be given to the candidate and his nomination should be held to be valid,” the Collector stated in his seven-page order wherein he overruled the objections.

* Bollywood News * Telugu Actress Pictures * Telugu Hot Videos * Movie Stills * RSS Magadheera to release in April itself

మగ దేరుడు

Magadheera which is the second movie of Ram Charan Teja is said to release in the month of April itself. According to close sources to director Rajamouli, the movie is taking its shapes in Kompalli, Hyderabad and some sequences are being filmed on Ram Charan teja. The crew ill again meet on Sunday in order to can some more sequences and the movie is all said to be ready by April 15th. According to sources, Chiranjeevi has ordered Rajamouli to hurry with the film in order to get released before elections.

Some sources report that Rajamouli was planning to release the movie in May mid month, but due to the force and objection from Megastar, the movie is being released in April itself.

Magadheera is in the making from the past tow years which has become a major drawback to Ram Charan’s film career. So, in order to clean up this time lapse and to maintain the name of Megastar among the film audiences the movie is fastened to be released before elections. Kajal Agarwal will be the lady love of Ram in this movie and Keeravani is the music director for this film.

Chiru has over Rs. 30-cr. assets

PRP releases 7th list

HYDERABAD: ‘Rebel Star’ and former Union Minister who recently joined the PRP, U.V. Krishnam Raju will contest from the Rajahmundry LS seat.

In the party’s 7th list released on Friday evening, four other names were announced for the LS, covering all the 42 constituencies across the State, including Gubbala Tammaiah (Narsapur), Reddaiah Yadav (Eluru), Khaja Peera (Kurnool) and Nutakki Rama Rao (Bapatla SC). Twenty four Assembly candidates figure in the list, taking the number to 268. Prominent are former TDP MP Vanga Geeta (Pithapuram), former MLA Jyotula Nehru (Jaggampeta) and former journalist Kurasala Kanna Babu (Kakinada Rural). Others are: East Godavari district: Thota Naveen (Prattipadu), Pantham Gandhimohan (Peddapuram), Chinta Krishnamurthy (Amalapuram SC). West Godavari district: Sabbatti Kadalayya (Gopalpuram SC), Bunga Sarathi (Kovvur SC), Akula Sriramulu (Tanuku), Eeli Nani (Tadepalligudem), Ashok Goud (Denduluru), Godeti Kota Rama Rao (Eluru), K. Ambedkar (Chintalapudi SC). Krishna district: Battina Ramamohan Rao (Gannavaram), Yellampalli Srinivas (Vijayawada West). Guntur district: Tammisetti Janaki Devi (Mangalagiri), Korivi Vinaykumar (Prattipadu SC), Kapilavaayi Vijayakumar (Narasaraopeta), Brahma Naidu (Vinukonda), Maganti Sudhakar Yadav (Macherla). Prakasam district: Kotapohtula Jwala Rao (Addanki), Mirza Javed Hussain Baig (Markapur), Maddaboyina Umamaheswari Yadav (Kanigiri). Kurnool district: Yanam Rajasekhara Reddy (Kurnool).

Chiru has over Rs. 30-cr. assets

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi has assets over Rs. 30.60 crore, including his Jubilee Hills residence (Rs. 14.36 crore), jewellery worth Rs. 1.95 crore, cash to the tune of Rs. 6.24 lakh, deposits with banks and private finance companies to the tune of Rs. 21.20 lakh and a sum of Rs. 1.12 crore invested in stocks and bonds.

According to a declaration that he filed along with his nomination at Palacole on Friday, the value of automobiles used by the megastar-turned-politician is Rs. 8.27 lakh.

A major chunk of his assets are in the form of lands and other immoveable property. They include 27 kuntas of agricultural land in Ranga Reddy district, valued at Rs. 1.35 crore. He has an outstanding loan of Rs. 59.03 lakh.

PR struggling with dissidence

PR struggling with dissidence Special Correspondent

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Masala Eeranna resumes fast in front of PR office after being treated at Apollo Hospitals

Party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma protests against denial of ticket to husband

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HYDERABAD: With the deadline to file nominations for Phase Two of the general elections fast approaching, voices of disappointment, dissent and frustration from those who did not get a ticket are on the rise.

A former MLA twice and Zilla Parishad chairman before that, Masala Eeranna, who was on a sit-in before the Praja Rajyam office here fainted on the third day and a ‘108’ ambulance rushed him to Apollo Hospitals, as a battery of still and video cameras captured the action on Friday afternoon.

However, there was complete surprise as the tough old man returned to the spot and resumed his protest within 90 minutes. Doctors who checked him at Apollo Hospitals found his vital parameters stable and given his grit, he bounced back into his agitation. He is determined not to move without a ‘B’ form from Alur constituency in Kurnool district and has given the party a deadline, 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Elsewhere, in Nandigama of Krishna district, the husband-wife combination of party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma and her husband Kanikarla Wesley, who was a strong contender for the ticket from the SC reserved constituency, are upset for being cold-shouldered by the party. She told The Hindu, for the past four days she had been promised that the ticket would be given to her husband but that at the last minute they were ditched.

Ms. Padma and Mr. Wesley said given the caste composition in Nandigama, it was a win-win situation for them and the party.

Meanwhile, anxious aspirants waited for the 7th and 8th list of candidates. The 7th list was to have been released around 1 p.m. in the afternoon, but till late on Friday evening there was no news as to when it would be released to the media.

PR struggling with dissidence

PR struggling with dissidence Special Correspondent

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Masala Eeranna resumes fast in front of PR office after being treated at Apollo Hospitals

Party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma protests against denial of ticket to husband

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HYDERABAD: With the deadline to file nominations for Phase Two of the general elections fast approaching, voices of disappointment, dissent and frustration from those who did not get a ticket are on the rise.

A former MLA twice and Zilla Parishad chairman before that, Masala Eeranna, who was on a sit-in before the Praja Rajyam office here fainted on the third day and a ‘108’ ambulance rushed him to Apollo Hospitals, as a battery of still and video cameras captured the action on Friday afternoon.

However, there was complete surprise as the tough old man returned to the spot and resumed his protest within 90 minutes. Doctors who checked him at Apollo Hospitals found his vital parameters stable and given his grit, he bounced back into his agitation. He is determined not to move without a ‘B’ form from Alur constituency in Kurnool district and has given the party a deadline, 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Elsewhere, in Nandigama of Krishna district, the husband-wife combination of party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma and her husband Kanikarla Wesley, who was a strong contender for the ticket from the SC reserved constituency, are upset for being cold-shouldered by the party. She told The Hindu, for the past four days she had been promised that the ticket would be given to her husband but that at the last minute they were ditched.

Ms. Padma and Mr. Wesley said given the caste composition in Nandigama, it was a win-win situation for them and the party.

Meanwhile, anxious aspirants waited for the 7th and 8th list of candidates. The 7th list was to have been released around 1 p.m. in the afternoon, but till late on Friday evening there was no news as to when it would be released to the media.

PRP allotted more seats to BCs, says Pavan Kalyan

First file will be on groceries: Chiranjeevi Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi on Friday declared that the first file he would sign after people made him the Chief Minister would be the one giving monthly groceries at Rs. 100 for the poor.

“It is a thrilling experience for me and with people backing me, I have no doubt that Praja Rajyam will ride home with a thumping majority,” he told presspersons after filing his nomination papers from Palacole in West Godavari district in his maiden attempt to enter the Assembly.

He lashed out at TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu saying the TDP had done nothing for the people in its nine year-rule, especially in improving the lot of the poor .

PRP allotted more seats to BCs, says Pavan Kalyan

Correspondent

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The actor sang ballads criticising the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party

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VIZIANAGARAM: Praja Rajyam Party has allotted 96 seats to BCs out of 240 it announced so far for contesting in the Assembly. This showed the party’s commitment towards social justice, said actor and Yuva Rajyam State president Pavan Kalyan.

Addressing people at public meetings at Kothavalasa and Vizianagaram on Friday, Mr. Kalyan said that communities representing artisans were given tickets, if problems of artisans were to be raised in the Assembly.

He assured the gathering that that PRP would provide basic amenities in proportionate to the growing population and education of international standard to the poor. It was unfortunate to learn that people in the fort town lacked adequate drinking water.

On the adverse reaction to his speeches from the Congress leaders, he said that he would not hesitate to point out their mistakes, adding that the Congress Government had been adopting anti-poor policies.

He said that the “Abhaya Hastham” of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister, was nothing but “mondi cheyyi” (empty hand). He appealed to voters to elect PRP nominee Meesala Gita from Vizianagaram.

The actor sang ballads criticising the Congress and the Telugu Desam to amuse his fans. Braving the scorching heat they waited for him at Ayodhya Maidan here an hour before his scheduled meeting at 11 a.m. But the actor reached at the spot at 1.45 p.m.

They danced in ecstasy to the foot-tapping party song ‘Ekkada choosina Praja Rajyam, ekkada kellina Praja Rajyam chinnoda…”

Chiranjeevi files papers amid fan frenzy

Chiranjeevi files papers amid fan frenzy Staff Reporter Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi waves to the crowd after filing nomination from Tirupati Assembly constituency on Saturday. —

TIRUPATI: Praja Rajyam supremo ‘mega star’ Chiranjeevi filed his nomination for the Tirupati Assembly constituency here on Saturday. His was the second nomination to be filed by a chief ministerial candidate from Chittoor district.

The steady flow of his followers into the town right from dawn did send feelers of a ‘mega frenzy’ in store among the police top brass, which left nothing to chance to maintain order.

Making a ‘U’ turn of his schedule, Mr.Chiranjeevi straightaway drove to the RDO’s office here and filed the nomination with the returning officer instead of taking up the road show first. With the heavy turnout of his fans having the potential to delay his road show by at least a couple of hours, the PR campaign managers apparently decided to advance the nomination, preferring not to leave anything to chance.

Colourful procession

Mr.Chiranjeevi later took out a colourful procession from Jeevakona and made brief halts at Leela Mahal junction, Corporation circle, Nalugukalla Mandapam, Krishnapuram Thana and ended the glittering show at Jyotirao Phule circle, without, however, garlanding his statue, due to the heavy rush.

The crowd turned hysteric at the sight of Mr.Chiranjeevi and ran behind the convoy. The ‘fan frenzy’ was so much that unmindful of the sweltering heat, the followers waited eagerly for hours together by the roadside, on high-rise buildings and even on treetops.

Tree branches gave in to the weight of fans and crashed to the ground in at least two places.

Cheers for son

There were special cheers for the ‘rising son’ Ramcharan Teja, who made a brief appearance along with his father. Keeping the media in the dark, Teja went to Tirumala and offered prayers at the Venkateswara temple. Chiranjeevi’s wife K.Surekha avoided boarding the campaign vehicle, but their elder daughter, Susmita, and son-in-law Vishnu Prasad participated in the road show. After a brief halt, the PR president’s family left for Chennai airport en route Hyderabad.

Praja Rajyam releases final list of candidates

Praja Rajyam releases final list of candidates Special Correspondent

Dalit ideologue Katti Padma Rao will contest from Vemuru

HYDERABAD: Dalit ideologue Katti Padma Rao will contest from Vemuru (SC) Assembly constituency in Guntur district on behalf of the Praja Rajyam.

His name figured in the eighth and final list of Assembly candidates released by Praja Rajyam, which complete the process of selecting its nominees with just a few hours to go on the last day of filing nominations on Saturday.

The names of contestants for the Lok Sabha were cleared late on Friday though.

True to its promise, the party has given more seats than other major parties to candidates belonging to the weaker sections.

Of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, 14 went to BCs, seven to SCs, three to STs and six to those belonging to the minority communities. The list includes five women.

104 party tickets

In respect of the Assembly candidates, 104 party tickets were given to the BCs, 50 to SCs, 23 to STs, and 14 to minorities. It includes 32 women.

The names of candidates for 25 Assembly constituencies in the list announced late on Friday night are as follows:

East Godavari district: Rongali Lakshmi (Tuni), Bandhan Hari (Kakinada City), Kudipudi Suryanarayana (Mummidivaram), Nalli Venkatakrishna Mallik (Rajolu SC), Janga Gautam (Gannavaram SC), B.R.K. Reddy (Anaparthi), Challa Sankar Rao (Rajahmundry City), Ravanam Swami Naidu (Rajahmundry Rural), Muthyam Srinivas (Rajanagaram) and Bandaru Satyanandam (Kothapeta).

West Godavari district: Rudraraju Bhoopathikumar Raju (Nidadavolu), Kanaraju Suri (Bhimavaram) and Vanapalli Babu Rao (Undi).

Krishna district: Simhadri Ramesh (Avanigadda).

Guntur district: Nukapeyi Santhi Jyothi, Basu Linga Reddy (Pedakurapadu), Oopoori Ganesh (Repalle) and Uggirala Seetharamayya (Bapatla).

Kurnool district: B.C. Srinivasulu (Yemmiganur) and M. Rami Reddy (Manthralayam).

Kadapa district: Obulampalli Subba Reddy (Kamapuram) and Gunipati Ramayya (Rajampet).

Chittoor district: M. Nagabhushanam (Gangadhara Nellore SC) and Pakala Pushparaj (Puthalapattu).

‘Cheating aspirants will cost Praja Rajyam dear’

‘Cheating aspirants will cost Praja Rajyam dear’ Staff Reporter

Kakinada: Scores of activists of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) staged a demonstration at Tuni on Saturday in protest against the rejection of their leader Dadisetti Raja’s candidature for Tuni Assembly constituency here on Saturday.

Some of them threatened to commit suicide by dowsing themselves with kerosene but their attempts were foiled by the police.

The agitators contended that Mr. Raja’s services to the party were ignored in order to accommodate the official nominee Rongali Lakshmi and warned that the PRP would have to face the consequences of cheating the aspirants.

Sidelining of committed leaders was bound to spoil the PRP’s chances of victory where the battle would be against six-time TDP MLA Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Raja Ashok Babu of the Congress. Meanwhile, the PRP district office here remained locked for nearly four days due to fear of attacks.

Cracks appear in Praja Rajyam

Cracks appear in Praja Rajyam Special Correspondent

Party vice-president, Chiranjeevi Fans Association chief quit

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C. Anjaneya Reddy: no transparency in selection of candidates

C. Venkateswara Rao: the party has become a commercial proposition

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HYDERABAD: Cracks appeared in the Praja Rajyam on Saturday when its vice-president C. Anjaneya Reddy resigned from the primary membership of the party citing lack of transparency in the selection of candidates and the party being too top-heavy as the reasons.

Separately, C. Venkateswara Rao, president, State Chiranjeevi Fans Association, who worked to promote the star’s image for close to two decades also announced his resignation. He told the media that his hope that the party would deliver on its promise of social justice was dashed and alleged that it had become a commercial proposition — much like a film production house. In East Godavari district, corroborating Mr. Reddy’s charge about secrecy over the choice of candidates, there was confusion in the party’s rank and file, especially aspirants, who almost came to blows in Rajahmundry. They were unable to know whether they were given the ticket or not.

Tensions

Tensions have been running high among aspirants in this district, considered to be the party’s stronghold. Some groups even gheraoed Rajahmundry Lok Sabha candidate U. V. Krishnam Raju on Saturday.

In a tersely-worded letter to party president K. Chiranjeevi, Mr. Reddy said, “Please accept my resignation from the primary membership of the party with effect from today.” Asked if he had spoken to Mr. Chiranjeevi or Mr. Aravind, the former IPS officer, who was part of PR’s think-tank since the beginning, said he did not wish to do so.

He admitted that he had unsuccessfully tried to contact Mr. Aravind for over a week now.