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.