CHIRANJEEVI THE FILM STAR THE NEW BEACON ON THE HORIZON… WILL HE MAKE OR NOT IN ANDHRA PRADESH POLITICS?

CHIRANJEEVI THE FILM STAR THE NEW BEACON ON THE HORIZON… WILL HE MAKE OR NOT IN ANDHRA PRADESH POLITICS?

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)

Politics in Andhra Pradesh are complex and are always uncertain. It is one of the largest states in India and has great role to play in national politics too. The State comprising of Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Royala seema provinces has never amalgamated itself into one homogeneous state and regional fissures have been playing great part in the elections to the State Assembly and in parliamentary elections too. Regional feelings, caste, religion, dialect and creed have always played their dubious roles in all elections including the panchayat and municipal elections. Entry of Mega star of Telugu films Chiranjeevi has added new dimensions to the already complex political scene in AP state. In fact, Chiranjeevi delayed announcing of his party for a long period and finally the cat was out of the bag when he announced the formation of party Praja Rajyam at a mammoth meeting at Tirupathi recently.
Andhra Pradesh originally was the bastion of Indian National Congress. The original congress party broke into factions and the one led by Indira Gandhi has finally become victorious and remained on the scene. The famous and charismatic Film star Nandamoori Taraka Rama Rao known popularly as NTR broke the backbone and continuous rule of Congress in the state after forming Telugu Desam Party. He exploited the sentiments of Telugu people after Sri T Anjiah the simpleton and un assuming and simple Chief Minister of the State was insulted by Rajiv Gandhi (He had no position at that time) publicly during a visit to Hyderabad. Congress was then sent on leather hunt by NTR for decades and was out of power. Telugu Desam party too has seen ups and downs and NTR was replaced in a coup de tat by his son- in- law Chandra babu Naidu when it was clear that Laxmi Parvathi, wife of NTR was gaining importance in the party and emerging as successor to NTR when his health started failing. Chandra babu ruled effectively for next two terms and lost power to congress after an anti establishment vote. Probably Janmabhoomi (Mother earth) Programme and agitation against reforms in the power sector took the toll in the elections. Dr Rajasekhar Reddy the leader from Royala seema successfully led congress party to victory in previous Assembly elections. Lot of water has flown under the mat during the last few years. Telangana sentiment has again come to the forefront. K Chadrasekahr Rao the Velama leader from Telangana and former leader of Telugu Desam parted ways with Chandra Babu Naidu and formed Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to fight for a separate Telangana state. This has resulted in some losses to Telugu Desam in Telangana region in last elections. However in recent bye-elections held in the state TRS received jolts and lost its hold. Congress and Telugu desam made in –roads into the region and it is no more seen as the bastion of TRS. The inner bickering in TRS and infighting caused immense damage to TRS and it is struggling to put up bold face. Formation of Telangana appears a mirage. People are apprehensive of TRS and the recently formed party by dissident leader Devendra Goud (Previously from TDP) and see them as mere opportunists. On earlier occasions too Telangana movement (1968) was backstabbed by its leader Marri Chenna Reddy the former Chief Minister of the State who played the role of Brutus. As elections are drawing closer, speculations also are on the rise on the likely outcome of next elections in the state. It is also true that Government at center too would be influenced by the results of AP elections.
The most important question on every ones mind is “Will entry of Chiranjeevi in AP politics makes any difference? Is he going to make to the throne in the present complex scene?” Let us examine the issues. Chiranjeevi has been a very popular film hero with mass following. Some of his roles have identified himself with the downtrodden and poor and exploited. He has not done mythological roles (except one or two) like NTR that have transformed him into godly figure in the state among Telugu people. NTR has also done many social films and was a great successful actor in all types of roles. He was the doyen of Telugu cinema. Chiranjeevi however has not reached the level of NTR fame although he is very popular with large following. Popularity among people is different and transformation of it into votes is not that easy. Chiranjeevi entered films almost three decades ago when NTR was very much at the top and established himself as a popular hero. Very soon he carved a place for himself in the tough competition in the filmdom. The question now is the triangular contest with some side kicks such as TRS Majlis Ittehad Ul Muslimeen (MIM) , Lok Satta of Jaya prakash narayan, the self styled moralist , Communists ( all types A to Z) and independents scratching around and taking part in the cross country marathon run.
When NTR dethroned Congress from the power decades ago, the contest was between him and the congress party only. The sentiments of Telugus and charisma of NTR and craving for a change did the trick and Congress was thrown out Lock Stock and Barrel on a wild goose chase and on leather hunt. Things are not that simple now. Telugu desam party has sufficient strong hold in the State. More over there is no very severe anti congress tempo in the people although unhappiness prevails. The TDP party has the backing of star sons and grandsons of NTR such as Balakrishna, Harikrishna, Junior NTR and Kalyan Ram with their own reckoning. More over Telugu Desam Party has a well knit and established and time proven organization at the smallest level in the state with a dynamic and seasoned leader Chandra babu Naidu at the top. Congress on other front is trying to rope- in Dr Rajasekhar another popular film hero along with his actor director wife Jeevitha. But their following is limited. Balakrishna and Junior NTR have been successful heroes in films and have wide following. In this scenario, it is unlikely that Chiranjeevi would sweep the polls based on his film popularity alone. He has to organize the party at various levels from the scratch and influence people and this is not that easy.
The manifesto of Chiranjjevi’s Praja Rajyam party is more socialist oriented with leftist overtones. Probably his roles in certain social films such as Mutta Mastry identifying with poor, illiterate and oppressed made the difference. He cannot project a different image now. Most of his roles identify him as the leader of oppressed and poor and naturally he would try to exploit such sentiments and image among youth and poor. MG Ramachandran (MGR) of Tamilnadu was a charismatic leader of oppressed class in Tamil movies and he successfully exploited the sentiments. People in Tamilnadu consider him as God. However Chiranjeevi in Telugu land has not reached the level of MGR or NTR to sweep the polls brushing aside the time proved and existing strong TDP and Congress party that would be in power while elections are held in the State. Those in power have some advantage such as gathering of intelligence of opposition parties from police and use of official machinery etc.
As usual some leaders from Congress party attacked Chiru by claiming that the Film actor had no experience in politics and that politics is not like singing duets and doing some break dance and fighting alone with scores of goons (Fake). Some members of shouting brigade from Congress even said Chiru was alcoholic while others said his party is a family party and had no useful manifesto. These critics forgot that politics is not reserved for them and every one has right to play his role and take part in it. Character assassination appears to be the aim in AP politics. The utterances of some so called leaders reveal how far the Telugus have fallen in public life. Probably in West too similar things are happening. Fundamentally it is the fallen values in human behavior. In fact Congress leaders developed perspiration at the size of the crowd at the launch of Chiru’s party. They did not expect that the launch would be of that magnitude. However they displayed brave face stating that people in the state knew the developments that took place in the state under their rule.
Now the congress is going about beating its (empty?) drum of achievements. It has gone to the extent of claiming that the rains in the state are also due to its good rule. What a fallacy indeed? Rains, clouds, light, sunrays, seasons, humidity, dust and summer heat are not the gift of any ruler or political party. It is purely God’s will. In future they could claim that availability of air for breathing in Andhra Pradesh was also the gift of congress rule with center’s blessing and could be part of Arogya Sri campaign in the state. Chiru ofcourse remained calm. He however said that his main opposition was congress. He also stated that he would pave way for a Dalit Chief Minister incase of victory and if the party wanted accordingly. It would be difficult to say now whether the promise would be really upheld if he wins. Infact this is all hypothetical. It is very difficult to control when a sweet is hanging close to the mouth. It is also highly improbable that Chiru would have a cakewalk in the coming elections. The existing electorate would be no doubt divided. People now no doubt want a change and the Chiru’s manifesto and promise of giving a clean government may be attractive to youth. But a great sweep is unlikely. During Congress rule, the prices of all commodities and real estate have sky rocketed and life has become miserable to a common man. As elections are drawing close, the present government is announcing all types of schemes irrespective of viability most of which could prove disastrous to the economy. More the Chief Minister announcing these benefits more he is getting trapped in the quagmire. He has been naming each and every activity and project in the name of Rajeev Gandhi the slain former Prime Minister. All these actions cannot be converted to votes in reality. Chandra Babu already announced that if he came to power he would change all these silly shows and campaigns and change names too. Sadly the dead men and their names are becoming scapegoats in the power politics.
People definitely now want a change. But it is unlikely that Chiru would sweep polls. Neither Congress nor Chandra babu would. Chiru may rope- in Kapu votes and also from a section of crazy youth for his histrionics, Mutta Mastry image, break dances and talent as actor. In all probabilities, Chiru cannot get a sweeping victory. He will definitely make a dent into the vote bank of TDP and congress. No doubt the rivals of Chiru are having nightmares with changed political scene. We have to wait and see the end result of drama in AP Politics to be unfolded very soon. Till then just relax and enjoy over a drink………….

Dr K Prabhakar Rao