Shradha Sharma Signed By G.P.Sippy Film

50 films in forty five years is no mean achievement and there is no stopping G.P.Sippy Multimedia as they unveiled their plans for fourteen movies in the next two years in association with Boutique cinema. Present on this occasion was their chairman Ajit Sippy and Sunil Khosla with Vibha Khosla ( both directors of Boutique Cinema) A Three film contract was signed with Siddarth Koirala and Shradha Sharma (of "Saathi' fame in star plus). After "Anwar", this would be Siddarth's next foray into Bollywood and Shradha would be making her debut on the big screen with this venture. In the past supersatrs like Shahrukh Khan, Rajesh Khanna, Raveena Tandon and many others were launched by G.P. Sippy Multimedia. Even the famed "Gabbar" of Sholay, Amjad Khan was launched by this production house. "Jab Luv Hua ", scheduled to be launched in july 2008 is also the first digital film.

Chiru's "PRAVASA VAARADHI" coming to Chicago

Chiru's "PRAVASA VAARADHI" coming to Chicago

"PRAVASA VAARADHI", our Sixth International SPARC Meeting by the Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization, USA on Sunday, July 13^th 2008 at Bloomingdale, IL in support of Padma Bhushan Dr. Chiranjeevi. Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization has conducted more than 25 events in USA including a successful 5K Walk-a-Thon in California, huge gatherings in Dallas, New Jersey and Los Angles and a NRI Ratha Yatra from Tirupathi to Srikakulam in raising the awareness and support for Padma Bhushan Dr. Chiranjeevi as our Leader for the state of Andhra Pradesh. As we all know the character, determination and the service minded nature of Dr. Chiranjeevi, We want to portrait the need of a Great personality and better direction in the form of Dr. Chiranjeevi for the development of our state in all respects. We invite you all for your royal participation and make this event a grand success in Bloomingdale IL.

Venue: Bloomingdale Court Theatre (Funasia Theatres)

324 West Army Trail Rd, Bloomingdale IL 60108

Date & Time: Sunday July 13^th 2008, from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Event Type: Free Shankar Dada Zindabad Movie & SPARC Meeting

Click here for online free registration of the event - http://PravasaChiranjeevi.Org/chiru/chicago_event.htm

• On-site Registration will start at 10:30 AM on Sunday, July 13^th 2008 at Bloomingdale Theatres
• Short video of Padma Bhushan Dr. Chiranjeevi and also the past events conducted by Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization will be screened.
• Mega Producer Mr. Allu Aravind garu and Mega brother Mr. Nagababu garu will address (video conference) the gathering
• Lunch will be provided to all the participants

Noted NRI educationalists, IT professionals, Entrepreneurs and Doctors from different parts of USA will be addressing the gatherings and share their views and open brainstorming session will be conducted to collect the ideas of all the attendees. International SPARC Sessions would mainly focus on the following topics and the role of Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization and the support of our NRIs

1. Social and Economic change

2. Current Education and Health care systems

3. Best way for the most utilization of the natural resources and self sustainability

4. Present distribution model in all walks of life and how we can minimize the middle man for the betterment of the Hardworking man and woman or the formers

Pravasa Chiranjeevi Organization, USA welcomes you all with your families and friends to participate in the International SPARC (Socio-Political Analysis & Research Center) Meet. For more information, registration and volunteering, please visit www.pravasachiranjeevi.org or

For More details, please contact:

Narasaiah Vadranam @ 678-612-6714, Srinivas Lottala @ 314-374-5375,

Ms. Rajani Akurati @ 630-674-4633, Kishore Pula @ 615-496-2351,

Suresh Mandala @ 913-549-0699, Madhu Vengala @ 309-530-3486 and

Pawan @ 309-363-5274

Playing a character in the film ‘Daughter’ is a unique experience: Actress Rucha

Producers Dr. Medha Mehandale and Manasi Mehandale are soon coming up with their first Hindi film ‘Daughter’. They are also introducing an eighteen-year-old sweet and bubbly girl Rucha who they are sure of winning the audience’s heart. Rucha has been very fortunate to be working with Vikram Gokhale, Reema and Padmini Kolhapure in her debut film itself. Along with being the co-producer of the film, Dr. Manasi Mehandale has also given her voice in one of the songs. Recently we met the main lead of the film Rucha during the promotion of the film. Here are some excerpts of an interview with her:-

* How did you develop an interest in acting?

Director Viju Mane, known to our family, was making a film in Marathi by the name ‘Gujiri’. He proposed me to do a special appearance in this film. I was not too sure of taking up acting that time. I was only 15 years old and thought of giving it a try. Acting excited me a lot even though I had a lot to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed acting and that’s where started off with it.

* Which are the films that you have done after ‘Gujiri’?

As I mentioned earlier, I had never understood acting that well, hence never took it very seriously. Also I didn’t want acting to be my career. I did it as my hobby only. I always wanted to become a doctor and even today I am busy with my related medical studies. That’s how I did not take up any film assignments after ‘Gujiri’. Even today my first preference is to become a doctor.

* Since your mother is also a doctor, is that why you wish to become a doctor?

My mother is definitely my role model and I have received all my inspiration from her. I strongly aspire to become a doctor and have my dream come true.

* How did you get an opportunity to work in ‘Daughter?’

Again through Director Viju Mane. He approached me with the script of ‘Daughter’ when I was in college. Even then I was too confused whether or not to do the film. Later when he narrated the script of the film to me, I was very happy and decided to do it. My passion of being a doctor and my hobby of acting met together through the film. Today I can proudly say that I am a part of a film like this.

* What have you felt in and through the film ‘Daughter?’

‘Daughter r’ is a very unique film. It is very different from the normal league of films. This film is based on adoption of those infants who are left alone by their parents due to various reasons. It is a story of such kids who spent their lives in ashrams and grow up with people who they understand to be their parents. The film has various emotions along with being a very fun filled one. It is a very beautiful message that the film is giving to its audiences.

* In this film you have worked with stars like padmini kolhapure and ayub khan along with Vikram Gokhale, Reema, and Arun Nalawade and Vinod singh. How do you feel working as a lead along with these stars?

In the film ‘Daughter’ I play an orphan girl whose name is Rucha. A girl whose grand father leaves her to live in an ashram since a very tender age of an infant. As she is growing she is adopted by Vikram Gokhale’s family and she goes and stays with them as a trial of 20 days. She gets love and affection from some and hatred and in affection from the others. The story is about how this young and innocent girl copes up with all the circumstances that she is put in. The character of Rucha is very strong by itself. Hence playing the same was not very difficult. Also the director always inspired and supported me for doing better. It became an easy job to do in the midst of these stars as my colleagues.

* The film has thrown light on couples that are against adoption?

Yes, the film reveals the existing shortcomings of our society, the existing mentality of the people of today’s century who consider money and wealth much above love and affection towards orphans.

Yes, before the shooting for the film began, I visited an orphanage in Thane. There I saw children like Rucha and understood their thought process. You can call it my homework for the film. It was a very touchy experience.

* Any remembrance during the shooting of the film that you would like to share with us?

Oh yes. I remember the first day of my shoot for the film. It was scheduled for 4:00 pm. I was to give the first shot and it rained quite heavily. Due to the delay the first shot happened only at 12 in the night. I had to appear smoking a cigarette in the shot. After the shot, we realized that I was holding the wrong side of the cigarette in my mouth. To be frank, I was quite nervous.

* Who are your favorite stars from Bollywood?

I like madhuri dixit and hrithik roshan a lot.

* Which directors do you wish to work with?

I wish to work with Mr Rakesh mehra who directed ‘Rang De Basanti’ and with Mr. Shamit Amin who directed ‘Chak De India’. Getting an opportunity I would also like to work with Aamir Khan and ShahRukh Khan.

* As an actor what are your aspirations?

I am only 18 and ‘Doctor’ is ideally my first film. I have got a great experience working in this film. It is a unique film with a very challenging role for me to do. I wish to do more of such challenging roles in other films as well. But as I mentioned earlier that I wish to become a doctor, I need to first fulfill that dream of mine. Mean while my acting career will keep going.

Chiranjeevi Shouldn't Miss Bus, Sorry The Train!

Mega Star Chiranjeevi has great fan following in Andhra region and that is known for all. Adding to that he reserves Nizam rights of his films with him as the collections will be very strong. So he has great fan following in Telengana region too. If the things move on according to second SRC, there would be scope for materializing separate Telangana. That becomes a big chance for Chiru to make his hold in both the states!! For that he needs to come into alliance with KCR.

Now the assumptions are making rounds that Chiranjeevi would carry some interesting decisions along with KCR with respect to capturing Telangana region votes in coming elections. On the other hand he has to assemble his team to hit the mission with broader vision. As the elections are coming up in less than 15 months, it is high time for Chiranjeevi to make up his team and work accordingly. Otherwise he may miss the bus, sorry the train as said by Allu Aravind.

Let us see what happens.

Chandrababu Licking Minorities As Time Has Come

Chandrababu Naidu started his campaigning at minority communities now. He is seen wearing Topis on banners in old city and Muslim dominated areas. It is known that he does this campaigning in big way once in 5 years just before a year for elections.

"The Muslim population also knows that he curry favors their leaders during this time and wishes to maintain friendly relations with them. And for rest of the years he will not show his face for them. So, it's season for Chandrababu to please minorities as per his agenda. But good thing is that he used to keep Charminar glowing with attractive lights in his reign", says Waqar Shiek, a shopkeeper near Charminar.

So Babu is now in the process of attracting Khans and Sheiks in old city.

Mayawati's Gun Pointed Jayaprada Instead Of Chiru

Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has spoken against film actors and actresses, because she does not know much about the film industry. Uttar Pradesh does not have a film industry of its own. All the films that are screened in Uttar Pradesh are shot in Mumbai. There's no film actor or actress worth his or her name who has settled down in Uttar Pradesh. Though film actor Amitabh Bachchan is from Allahabad, he had left the place long ago. In fact he left the place when he was a child. Moreover, Amitabh Bachchan is very close to Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mulayam Singh Yadav. Incidentally Mulayam Singh Yadav is against Mayawati. So Mayawati has inherent hatred for film actors and actresses built in her.

Neither she nor the BSP requires the support of the film industry to sustain in Uttar Pradesh. The only film industry personality she is fully acquainted with is none other than Andhra Pradesh's Jayaprada. She is now the MP from Uttar Pradesh. But here too, the problem is that Jayaprada is from BSP's enemy Samajwadi Party.

Moreover, Mayawati has no stakes in Andhra Pradesh. Except for a brief political appearance now and then in Hyderabad, Mayawati has no interest in Andhra Pradesh. She came to Hyderabad for the public meeting only to keep her flocks together. She is fully aware that the BSP will never form a government at the Centre on the strength of votes it gets in Andhra Pradesh.

Political observers feel that Mayawati's statement was more directed against Jayaprada rather than Chiranjeevi. For, Jayaprada is a crowd-puller in Uttar Pradesh.

'Dasari Is A Venomous Snake'-Posani! Beware

Although Posani shouted loud in TV channels about his film 'Apada Mokkulavadu', he bagged more curse than sympathy, say the sources. He dragged Dasari Narayan Rao into this issue and made big news in TV channels. But industry people are saying that Dasari is like a snake!!!!

"Dasari Narayana Rao is like a venomous snake. He is very dangerous. We don't know if Snake really holds 'paga' (wish to take vengeance) but Dasari will certainly take his 'paga' on the people who turn against him. He only looks out for right time. Dasari has been keeping ANR at bay from the past 15 years without talking to him as he talked against him in an occasion. Hence while giving ANR award for Shabana Azmi recently, Dasari called for another attractive meeting for journalists. Obviously media journalists went to Dasari's meeting and didn't cover ANR award function. Dasari's intentions go that way. Posani will certainly eat his cake for keeping a tiff with Dasari", said a film personality in Film Nagar last night.

Let us see if that really turns out to be true.

Is Chiru ready to pay 50k crores?

For some weeks mega star Chiranjivi is hitting the headlines of many Telugu dailies. As each day passes by, Chiru's speculated entry into state politics is getting quite intense driving many politicians crazy.

What started as a game of speculation between many local news channels is actually assuming some serious political consideration given the actor's own game of wait and see.

Whether Chiru actually takes the holy plunge into the dirty politics or not it has some how made the winter of deccan plateau quite hot.

Off late, it has been the turn of all and sundry to script their own foreseeable action scenes on the political screen.

Disgruntled congressmen who could not fill enough of their purses in the mega projects the Chief Minister has initiated in the last three and half years of his rule are now trying their mega best to annoy their high command by making the mega star a Chief Minister designate even before he has set his sights on the ballot box.

The plight of telugu tamullu in the Telugu Desam Party is even more pathetic. Confronted with Telangana sentiment, party rank and file all over the state are increasingly getting polarized on the separation issue. Surely, with the possible entry of coastal boy Chiru the shelf life of their party is likely to expire even before the T-State is announced.

The baby elephant in Andhra wished to grow as big as its mom in theUP state, but Chiru's chilipi cum chinna tammudu has played the spoilsport for the mega dreams of the mega sister. behenji Mayawati annoyed with such chilipi tantrums has not spared the rod on her little brothers for playing truant with her. Hence her outburst shunning the naach gaane wale actor brothers as being unfit for public service.

For the lotus party, the waiting in the murky waters seems to be unending saga. The mega star still seems a mystery. However, for TRS chief, it is like waiting to see which side of the bread chiru is going to butter. Left Parties, having been dreaming since a long time for a third front, Chiru own rylu bandi could once again prove just a day dream best left behind.

Having said so much about the established political parties, lets see what it costs the mega star to gain his entry ticket. A political kitten called T G Venkatesh, of rayalaseema iykya vedika, well known for his obsessive opposition to T-State is now demanding from the mega star Chiranjivi to pay a compensation of Rs.Fifty thousand Crores to seema for actively considering joining politics which could potentially break up the united state of Andhra Pradesh.

Fact Sheet: Moily threatens dissidents

Congress high command has conveyed the message to the dissidents that there would be stern action against them, if they speak against the party interests. AICC incharge of AP affairs Veerappa Moily, who brought the message, said serious action would be taken against Congress leaders airing anti-party and Government statements in public and asked them to use party fora to air their grievances.

Obviously, he was referring to the statements of Narasapuram MP Ch Harirama Jogaiah welcoming Chiranjeevi. Moily said Jogaiah spoke to him and he was asked to come to Delhi on Thursday. He expressed alarm over the growing indiscipline in the party and leaders were airing of views on corruption in Government and on Telangana publicly. He also described, as "prima facie false" charge by a leader corruption was rampant in Government.

Behind The Scene: Kaka warns high command

Even as Veerappa Moily warned the party leaders of stern action for speaking against party interests, his colleague in the Congress Working Committee and the party deputy floor leader in the Parliament G Venkata Swamy predicted trouble for the Congress if the party failed to announce Telangana six months before the ensuing elections.

He termed the proposed move to constitute the second SRC as unjustified. "We all including Chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy have left the Telangana issue to the discretion of the AICC president Sonia Gandhi. It is time the party high command should spell out its stand on Telangana. The party will sink in the next elections if it fails to come out with a categorical announcement on separate Telangana," he said.

"I had already conveyed the feelings of the people to Sonia Gandhi when I met her after the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the AICC general secretary, he said and added that Sonia smiled quietly in response to his suggestion. The people of the region are looking forward to Sonia Gandhi for a positive decision on Telangana, he added.

City Buzz: Airport ready, roads are not!

The new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad is all set to be opened on March 16, but the roads leading to the airport are still in a bad shape.

Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy is very much worried over delay in road connectivity to new Airport. At a meeting on Wednesday, he shouted at the Ministers and officials concerned and asked them to ensure completion of the pending works before the d-day.

Officials assured that road connectivity will be completed by large before the opening of airport and the P V Narasimha Rao expressway by September 30.

The Chief Minister wanted posting of police personnel all through the road from city to airport to ensure smooth travel for passengers. He asked Commissioners of Hyderabad City and Cyberabad Police to see that there should be no traffic congestion to and fro the airport once it becomes operational.

Buzz: Chiru's Will be a Family Party!

Mega star Chiranjeevi's proposed political party will be nothing more than a "dynastic rule" like that of the Telugu Desam and the Congress. There will be no democratic procedures in the film actor's political party as and when it is announced. To begin with, Chiranjeevi's political party will be led by 1) the film actor himself, 2) his younger brothers, 3) his son and above all 4) his brother-on-law. Since all these five people are from the film industry, they all will participate in the election campaign and in public meetings to popularize the new political party, in case it is formed at all.

The top five positions in Chiranjeevi's party will be occupied by himself, his brothers, his son and his brother-in-law. So anyone who wants to occupy an important position in the new political party will have to be contented with positions down No. 5. If Chiranjeevi wants to keep his son away from politics for the time being, then the outsider, who will be the luckiest one, will have to accept the position No. 5.

And this is precisely the reason why Chiranjeevi is not getting the backing he needed from his own caste leaders or from seasoned politicians. They do not want to play second fiddle (in fact it is the fifth fiddle) to Chiranjeevi. Unless Chiranjeevi announces that he will keep his family away from the new political party, in case he chooses to announce one, there will be no political future for the film star's outfit.

People are already fed up with family rule in the Congress and the Telugu Desam. The TRS leadership is also treading the path of the Congress and KCR has brought his son to succeed him.

Second SRC rumours put KCR in trouble

All of a sudden there was a report in a TV channel that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has cleared the proposal for the constitution of the second States Reorganisation Commission. But the news later turned out to be just a hoax. There was no truth in the report. But it has stirred up all major political parties and senior leaders in the backward Telangana region. The Telangana Bhavan, headquarters of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, which is spearheading the cause of separate State for Telangana, started buzzing with full of activity. There was no one to either confirm or deny the report. Frantic calls were made to New Delhi from Hyderabad and senior leaders kept glossed to TV screens for any update on the second SRC.

As the day progressed, the TV channel stopped its news report and the Central government has clarified that no such orders were issued on the second SRC.

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao was seen quite busy. In fact all political parties except the Congress are against second SRC. The TRS, though it had signed an agreement with the Congress prior to Assembly elections that it would abide by the second SRC, had later backtracked and it now does not want any new States Reorganisation Commission, The TRS wants Telangana to be declared unilaterally by the Cabinet without having gone through the regular and established procedure. So in this backdrop the TV channel created fuss among Telangana leaders, particularly those in the TRS and the Congress.

Behind The Scene: Telangana state soon?

New Delhi: The Congress has in principle decided to request the UPA government to set up a second states reorganization commission (SRC) to look into formation of some new states, including Telangana. The move is designed to beat the anti-incumbency effect that the ruling party will have to counter in the 2009 general elections.

Despite the PM’s Office denying TV reports on Tuesday and asserting that there is no such move, highly placed Congress sources told media that a formal letter would be written by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to PM Manmohan Singh very soon, requesting the UPA government to set up a second SRC.

Sources said the AICC general secretary in charge of AP, M Veerappa Moily, is arriving in Hyderabad for a meeting with Youth Congress leaders and the issue of second SRC is expected to figure in his talks with state party leaders. The first SRC was set up in 1955; following its report, states were reorganised in 1956.

A delegation of the Telangana Regional Congress Coordination Committee is likely to meet party president Sonia Gandhi next week and according to sources, the announcement of formation of a second SRC may come up after that.

The second SRC would take up demands for the creation of Telangana (AP), Vidarbha (Maharashtra) and trifurcation of UP. “While the demands for Telangana and Vidarbha have been on for some time, UP CM Mayawati has supported the division,” a Congress leader said.

While there are demands for smaller states, the second SRC would consider only the three above mentioned demands, the sources said. Thus, the pleas for creation of smaller territories like Gondwana (Chhattisgarh), Gorkhaland (West Bengal), Kodagu (Karnataka), Bodoland (Assam), Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), Garoland (Meghalaya) and Mithilanchal (Bihar) would not be taken up.

Hillary wins NH primary to regain momentum

Washington (IANS) Former first lady Hillary Clinton has won the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire with 39 percent of the vote, with 73 percent of precincts counted.

All three major US cable news networks late Tuesday declared her the winner over Senator Barack Obama who conceded defeat after receiving 36 percent of the vote in the intra-party election.

Speaking immediately afterwards, Hillary told cheering supporters: "You deserve a president who stands up for the people." She promised to "end the war in Iraq the right way" and "to restore American credibility throughout the world".

John Edwards came third among the Democrats, polling 17 percent, DPA news agency reported.

Senator John McCain, a backer of the US troop build-up in Iraq, won the Republican poll.

Vietnam war hero McCain, 71, claimed victory with 37 percent over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, once the New Hampshire front-runner, who ran second with 32 percent.

"Tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like," McCain exclaimed to a cheering crowd of supporters in Nashua, New Hampshire. "We celebrate one victory tonight and leave for Michigan tomorrow to win another."

New Hampshire, a small northeastern state, traditionally holds the first primary in US presidential election year. Michigan holds the next contest on Jan 15 in the series of state-by-state votes to determine the Republican and Democratic nominees.

'Andhrajyothy' Continuing Its Chiru Business

Andhra Jyothi has only one mission and that is presenting Chiranjeevi's news as regularly as possible. As the news is hot it is keeping on cashing on the same. While Eenadu has been conventional in its approach in presenting news on Chiranjeevi, Andhra Jyothy is placing him on the banner almost every alternate day. The News daily also conducted a survey on the ins and outs of Chiranjeevi entering politics.

Although Eenadu claims it to be the largest circulated News Daily that proves to be situational basing on this explanation by a News Stand owner.

He says, "We bring 50 Eenadu and 50 Andhra Jyothy every dawn. Generally they will be sold by afternoon and Andhrajyothy by evening. These days we still find Eenadu unsold till the evening and Andhra Jyothy selling off in the morning itself if Chiranjeevi's picture is seen on the banner".

That is an evident for the selling power of a News Paper that puts Chiranjeevi's picture on its banner.

Bucknor sacked, Harbhajan can play in Perth Test

Melbourne(IANS) Team India heaved a sigh of relief as controversial West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor will not be officiating while Harbhajan Singh can play in the third Test against Australia in Perth starting Jan 16, the top International Cricket Council (ICC) official announced here Tuesday.

In a hurriedly convened press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said that Billy Bowden of New Zealand would replace West Indies' Bucknor, an Elite Panel umpire. Pakistan's Asad Rauf will join Bowden in Perth.

Speed said that some people would be unhappy with ICC's decision at India's insistence to remove Bucknor.

"I can understand that people will take that view," he said. "It is an extraordinary set of circumstances and we want to take some of the tension out of the situation."

The move comes a day after the Indian cricket board drew the ICC's attention to the horrendous umpiring mistakes that cost India the Sydney Test Sunday.

Umpiring was one of the two issues India were unhappy with following that match, along with the three-Test suspension imposed on off-spinner Harbhajan.

The off-spinner was Sunday suspended for three Tests after he was found guilty of racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds in Sydney by allegedly calling him a "monkey".

India have appealed against the ban, and a fresh hearing is to be held.

But Speed could not say when that hearing would be held. He was hopeful it would occur before the next Test, starting Jan 16.

If the hearing on Harbhajan's ban was not held before the start of the third Test, the Indian off-spinner would be eligible for the match in Perth, Speed said. The ICC chief executive was hopeful India's tour would continue, but could not guarantee that.

Speed said the ICC needed to take a "pragmatic view" towards the issue, and needed to be "flexible" to resolve the crisis.

He was confident Bucknor, 61, would umpire again at Test level. Speed said match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the former Sri Lankan captain, would be appointed as a mediator between the Australian and Indian sides.

Meanwhile, a racism hearing against Australian spinner Brad Hogg will also go ahead, after the Indians alleged he called captain Anil Kumble a "bastard" in Sydney. Hogg's hearing will be held some time before the third Test by match referee Mike Procter.

Speed said Procter and an ICC-appointed code of conduct commissioner would re-hear the Harbhajan case, with the witnesses to be called again.

Behind The Scene: And now Babu has his own "TV"

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu will not leave anything to chance when it comes to seeking publicity. How long could he depend on others for publicity? So after launching his own TDP Radio on the internet, Chandrababu Naidu has started his own TD news channel. This TV news channel is quite different from all the existing ones in that the TD leadership simply picks up press conferences/meetings covered by various electronic media, and put them up on Youtube. So you have Chandrababu Naidu speaking on a variety of subjects on the Youtube. The electronic news clippings are updated almost on hourly basis and those visiting the Telugu Desam's official website can go through the Youtube links.

Though the Telugu Desam's electronic "brain" PNV Prasad had left the party long ago, Chandrababu Naidu continues to get innovative ideas. So Chandrababu Naidu has with him, 1) TDP radio and 2) Youtube links. If one wants to hear Babu's speech, he or she may listen to the TDP radio and if one wants to record or watch Babu in action, just visit the TD website and click on the youtube link concerned.

With elections round the corner, Chandrababu Naidu has been trying his best to derive maximum political mileage and publicity for all his actions. Interestingly, the meetings of other senior TD leaders are also available in both audio and video format.

YSR sees no threat from Chiranjeevi

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Dr YS Rajashekar Reddy today said that new political entities like the one expected to be floated by Telugu film star Chiranjeevi or the Bahujan Samaj Party would not be a factor in state politics. Chiranjeevi is the biggest film star after NT Rama Rao in Telugu filmdom.

“We are the reigning champions, as they say in sports. We will be challenged in next year’s general elections. For the past 25 years, it has been between the Congress and the TDP. Now if there are new challengers, it will be good for us as it will further reinforce the fact that we are the champions. Frankly, the more the merrier”, he told the close aides who spoke to the media.

Dr Reddy was closeted with them to figure out the impact Chiranjeevi would have as he belongs to the Kapu community. The Kapus have largely voted for the Congress but with Chiranjeevi’s entry, the Congress leaders fear that they would choose him en masse.

Dr Reddy discounted this theory. He referred to a couple of recent surveys he had ordered to find how communities choose their parties. “For instance, the TDP is perceived as a Kamma community party, but over 40 per cent are consistently voting for us. The Congress is seen as a Reddy community party, but one third are with the TDP. The trend is the same among all other communities. Even in Gujarat, 30 per cent of the Muslims voted for the BJP,” he reportedly said.

Aides pointed to the trend across the country that when a second regional party emerges, the Congress always has been the loser. Dr Reddy said this is a fact in states like Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He gave the watershed years for those states and the leaders who played out their roles.

“At that period, in none of these places, there was a strong state Congress leadership. The second is that there was substantial dissatisfaction with the Congress. The situation is exactly the opposite in AP”.

“The Congress here is more of a regional party. Issues like free power, housing, free health insurance and land distribution are all the state’s initiatives done in consultation with the party high command. Thanks to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, we are a strong leadership in the state. And never in the past was the party mechanism such a well oiled machine as it is now,” he said. Significantly, Dr Reddy said that Chiranjeevi was attempting to fill in the political vacuum caused by the TDP.

“Mr N Chandrababu Naidu is getting increasingly desperate, which means he will make more mistakes in the run-up to the elections,” he said.

Sureedu is Telugu Desam's Corruption Target

Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy's personal security guard and confidante Sureedu is now the prime target of the Telugu Desam, which is spearheading a State-wide campaign against corruption in the Congress government. The TD leadership has zeroed in on Sureedu and Sarasa Devi on the DPEP scam. The TD has put up the pictures of these two persons along with another scamster V Subrahmanyam on the internet with the headlines that corruption in the Congress government.

As the TD has now decided to launch a door-to-door campaign against corruption, party leaders will increasingly use the names of Sureedu, Subrahmanyam and Sarasa Devi, along with their photographs.

It seems bad days are ahead for these influential people, who have thus far been calling the political shots. It is to be seen whether the Telugu Desam's campaign will be successful and the people will show scamsters their rightful place - jail. But all this will happen only when the person who heads the government has the political will and guts to do so.

Even if the Telugu Desam comes to power, it will not initiate action against these scamsters for the simple reason that no one in politics is clean enough to initiate criminal proceedings against the other.