Film Star turned Politician, Chiranjeevi
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Hyderabad : Putting an end to year long speculation, Tollywood superstar Chiranjeevi on Tuesday launched his party 'Praja Rajyam' before a mammoth crowd of his fans and supporters pledging to work for social justice as its main agenda and to root out corruption.
Soon after he announced the name a short song and sequence came on the giant screen behind him on the dais which the audience lapped it up enormously.
The 53-year-old matinee idol and son of a police constable outlined his party's vision in various sectors and also unveiled the party flag -- green and white with the sun in the middle - amidst rapturous applause from the huge gathering.
In his more than hour-long speech, the megastar, however, skirted thorny issues like Telangana statehood demand, Naxalism and categorisation of Scheduled Castes, saying a "collective decision" would be taken on these matters after "scientific evaluation".
"On these sensitive issues, I cannot take an immediate decision. We will take inputs from intellectuals and come to a collective decision", Chiranjeevi told the gathering.
Chiranjeevi, a Padma Bhushan awardee, has acted in 148 films. Former President A P J Abdul Kalam had inspired him to take a plunge into politics and vowed to bring about positive change in politics.
Earlier, excited over their matinee idol's political debut, Chiranjeevi's fans went out of control at the site of the public meeting leading police to lathicharge on them.
Thousands of Chiranjeevi fans, poured in from all over Andhra Pradesh to listen to their star revealing the name and agenda of his party.
Chiranjeevi said his party would work for the empowerment of poor and weaker sections of the society. He further said that “ Praja Rajyam” would accord top priority for agricultural development and welfare of farmers, primary health, education, labour welfare, opportunities for youth and women.
The actor also promised to come up with a clear-cut policy on regulation of liquor trade.
"Fighting corruption, particularly the political corruption, will be one of our main agenda," Chiranjeevi said.
"Today, we are sounding the bugle for a major battle against the social ills. There are no leaders in the battle but only servants. I am your servant. We will win this battle. No one can stop us," Chiranjeevi said with a dramatic flourish.
