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.

A youth wing for Chiru even before the party!

"Aloo ledu, choolu ledu, koduku peru Somalingam," goes a Telugu saying. Even before Chiranjeevi formally announced the launch of his political party, some enthusiastic political activists representing various parties have formed into Rashtra Chiranjeevi Yuvata.

The organization got itself registered and the leaders have started bombarding the media offices with statements, criticizing the critics of Chiranjeevi. For instance, the Chiranjeevi Yuvata leaders took strong objection to the comments of Roads and Buildings Minister T Jeevan Reddy against Chiranjeevi's plans to enter politics. In a statement, the organization vice president Sreeramula Suresh, state executive member M Navin Kumar, town unit president G Hari Prasad alleged that the ministers were showing the signs of frustration on the very indications of the proposed entry of Chiranjeevi. They are worried over their fate once Chiranjeevi enters into politics, they alleged. "Politics is not the domain of a few. A will to serve the people is the basic prerequisite in politics", they remarked.

Meanwhile, several leaders are already in the race to join hands with him, with a hope that they would get the party tickets in the next elections.

Several discontented leaders of the main political parties, NRIs and even some officials are making desperate attempts to develop rapport with the actor to test their political fortunes. A few Karimnagar based NRIs who are living in the US also called on the actor recently with an offer to muster support for him overseas.

10 jokers in Andhra state politics in 2007

Normally we look at politicians to guide our destiny and design our policies; but in today's politics we come across a large number of buffoons in politics for variety reasons. Deccan Post takes a look at 10 jokers in state politics in 2007 who will be remembered for their foot in mouth remarks, timidity and double speak.

Dreams bite dust
Popularly called MSR, this septuagenarian Karimnagar legislator is one person who never misses an opportunity to express his frustration that CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy ignored him. First, he lost his job due to an endowments land scam and then he was not rehabilitated properly.

Boastful of being AICC general secretary three decades ago and PCC president, MSR always aspires for the moon and gets a lollipop. His trident attack on CM after another Velma senior leader J Ratnakar Rao was made minister has only lowered MSRs’ image. Of course, his second term as APSRTC chairman is no substitute to his gubernatorial dreams.

K K misses bull’s eye
Widely called KK, this maverick Congress leader is best remembered for his jack- in- the box image. People even recall his controversial remarks as education minister in Anjaiah’s cabinet in 1980s that Maths and History were unimportant to students.

After spending ages in wilderness, KK made it to forefront on Congress echelons thanks to Telangana issue. A shrewd man, KK first began his rehabilitation as activist of Telangana Regional Congress Committee and then quickly changed track and became an acolyte of YSR.

This first fetched him the coveted PCC president job and along with it came the Rajya Sabha seat. In the last one-year, we have seen him swinging on Telangana issue suiting his convenience. His blabber earned him more enemies within the party.

But, all machinations came to an end abruptly. One bullet shot from his son’r revolver which claimed the life of a young realtor has forced him to shut his mouth. He not only lost the PCC job, but also the confidence of YSR and the party high command. KK’s sudden fall has only exposed how vulnerable he has been all these days.

Rewarded for barbs
This Shadnagar Congress MLA has demonstrated how power-hungry Congress legislators are. After being denied a cabinet berth, this former minor irrigation minister went on a verbal rampage and hit out at YSR in true Congress style. For a few days, he offered free entertainment to people by venting out his frustration.

Of course, the party high command has its own reasons for keeping him out. Shankar Rao’s father-in-law and MP G Venkata Swamy is a deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, and his brother-in-law G Vinod, a state cabinet minister, so a post for the third member from the family was unlikely.

Shankar Rao even went to the extent of joining hands with other dissident legislators like late PJR and Shashidhar Reddy, famously called Hyderabad brothers. And suddenly, one day he stopped his attack on the CM. Guess what? The CM, a shrewd politician sanctioned a mega tourism project to Shankar Rao on the Mahbubnagar highway, close to the Outer Ring Road. This deal has benefitted Shankar Rao by hundreds of crores, thanks to the rising land prices. He need not have asked for more, nor could he have achieved by becoming a minister.

‘Narada’ Narayana
So far, we have been faced with scarcity of comic leaders from the Left camp. Now this irrepressible comrade from Chittoor district has filled that slot. Known for his pragmatic ideology and cosy lifestyle,

K Narayana is in race to hog limelight on par with his more serious colleague in the bandwagon BV Raghavulu.

Narayana made a fool of himself by publicly eating chicken on Gandhi Jayanti day, when ahimsa is preached. The CPI state secretary could have simply said he had no faith in rituality. But, aping bourgeoisie politicians, he took a vow not to touch non-vegetarian for a year.

Since then, people have begun closely watching Narayana’s moves. A Congress MLA pointed out that the CPI leader had broken his vow, while others say he is eating eggs and omelets (will Gandhians approve of this?).

Not just that. His impromptu comments on third front and Chiranjeevi too have raised eyebrows. On one hand, he is eager to join hands with Chiranjeevi, and on the other also doubts the scope of third front. Narayana, tipped to lead the state for some more time, will end up with more antics.

Nagam loses shine
This bald and bold TDP heavyweight used to carry some credibility within his party. But, alas, these days no one takes him seriously and one can see him fretting and fuming. However, his histrionics in the assembly have made him indispensable to party supremo Chandrababu Naidu.

This Nagarkurnool legislator and former minister considers himself as TDP’s answer to YSR, as he is the only senior Reddy leader in the party. At least, he is the deputy leader of TDP in the assembly. But, Naidu has doubts about the lawmaker’s abilities.

To prove him right, Nagam goofed up the Obulapuram mines issue, which his party thought was a golden opportunity to nail the ruling Congress government.

Dr Reddy who was member of an all-party delegation, which visited Obulapuram mines, was expected to expose mines baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, on illegal mining. Due to his tactlessness, and petulant behaviour, Nagam failed to carry along other opposition leaders.

Apart from that, he even failed to prove beyond doubt the irregularities going on in the mines by the owner as well as the government. Thus, he lost an opportunity and an issue to the party.

Guest artist
Once hailed as Lady Amitabh, Vijayashanthi is struggling to lead a small outfit, Talli Telangana. A very successful heroine, Vijayashanthi initially thought that she would be a smash-hit with people of Telangana by just launching a party.

However, this was not the case, she realised after looking at the situation she had landed in. Before floating her own party, TRS leaders KCR and Narendra wooed her on the one hand, and BJP top brass led by Advani on the other.

The actress has now limited her appearance to occasions like Bonalu festival or a quick padayatra in a city slum. Last time she was spotted at Nilofer hospital where she held a baby and decried that people of the backward region were suffering because of the junior doctors’ strike. As is her wont, Vijayashanthi may take a long break before her next public appearance. Is this the way to be in politics?

Gone with the wind
Maverick, marauder, and Man Friday - all rolled into one. This angry and not-so young man has lost his way this year. Famous for his political analyses and poll predictions, Prakash Rao earned his proximity to YSR solely by attacking TRS supremo KCR and MSR, who too belong to the Velma community.

In the beginning, Rao aspired to emerge as a tall leader within the Congress, but ended up as a point man of YSR or his advisor KVP Ramachandra Rao. Gone Prakash Rao is supposed to have tricked in some DCC presidents from Telangana districts to submit a memorandum to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi that they do not consider Telangana a major issue.

Now, Prakash Rao’s mission is to tarnish the image of Nizamabad Congress MP and AICC secretary Madhu Yashki Goud. The Parliamentarian’s growing proximity to Rahul Gandhi and clout within the party may have prompted Prakash Rao to this mission.

By digging Goud and his kin’s involvement in fake documents to travel abroad, Prakash Rao is only harming the interests of his own party. But, people are not ready to believe that he can do these things on his own. From being a young Peddapalli MLA on Sanjay Vichar Manch ticket in 1978, Rao has been reduced to a semi-employed clown in political circus. What a fall!

No holds barred Ganga
The firebrand Mahila Congress president and MLC is a woman in hurry. She was badly looking for an issue to score a brownie point with YSR. Then came Telugu Mahila leader Nannapaneni Raja Kumari’s remarks against CM that YSR was a “broker”.

To demonstrate her loyalty, Ganga Bhavani led a group of women activists to the house of Raja Kumari and held a dharna there. When tempers ran high and situation turned violent, police stepped in. She threatened to “cut the tongue” of Raja Kumari. Ganga Bhavani justified her aggression on the ground that she cannot stand any criticism against YSR. She cannot stoop lower than this. However, Ganga Bhavani is considered being close to MSR.

An attention seeker
This hyper sensitive north-coastal TDP former minister is known for his now-on-now-off spirits. Once a member of shouting brigade in the assembly during 1989 and 1994, Sitaram often slips into inertia and becomes moody.

His recent release of list of Reddys who were appointed to various nominated as well as official posts by CM has betrayed the sense of frustration in TDP camp. But unwittingly Sitaram made people think of another dominant community, Kammas, during TDP period. This he would not have imagined.

Moreover, his warnings to TDP leadership on internal bickering too were made light by his own party leaders. He opposed TDP supporting a Congress rebel during MLC elections, but backtracked later. Sitaram’s attack on Union minister and NTR’s daughter D Purandareswari too have made him a laughing stock.

No longer isht devta
Many expected a bright future to G Kishan Reddy, who began his political apprentice as Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. A day never passed without him hitting media headlines in mid-1980s. A quick learner saffron brigade, Kishan Reddy swiftly changed loyalties.

First he was with Baddam Bal Reddy, later CH Vidyasagar Rao, then Dattatreya and finally M Venkaiah Naidu. He learned the tricks of the trade fast, but, in the process lost his self-image. Being a leader of two-member party in the assembly, Kishan Reddy should have been a big hit. But, thanks to his self indulgent and withdrawn attitude, he lost the opportunity.

Kishan Reddy was in tears in the assembly when Speaker KR Suresh Reddy made a casual remark about him. He offered to quit the assembly, but no one took him seriously. That is Kishan Reddy.

Behind The Scene: Jayaprada eyeing on AP?

Samajwadi Party MP and heroine Jayaprada seems to be toying with the idea of coming back to Andhra Pradesh politics and play a bigger role in developing the party here.

New Delhi sources say Jayaprada is fed up with the Uttar Pradesh politics and she knows that it would be extremely difficult for her to retain her Rampur seat in the next Lok Sabha elections, in the wake of growing influence of UP chief minister Mayawati in her constituency. She might try for a Rajya Sabha seat, but there are several contenders within Samajwadi Party.

So, the best way is to return to Andhra Pradesh, join hands with either Telugu Desam or if the situation demands, with Chiranjeevi's new political party, so as to remain active in politics. Who knows, people of Andhra might even crown this glamourous woman!

Ramoji Rao Advised Chiranjeevi Not To Start Party

This is the news from inside sources that Ramoji Rao talked to Chiranjeevi for quite a long time before the demise of Konidela Venkat Rao. He met him to give an advise for not to start party. He explained all ins and outs for Chiranjeevi and elucidated how he loses if he enters politics now. He said it seems that 2009 would be an year for TDP.

He added, "If you start party now, people get confused and Congress takes advantage of that. Congress is trying to color that the fight will be between only Congress and Chiranjeevi and TDP wouldn't be in priority. By this kind of indoctrination Congress would take an advantage. The ultimate loser will be you".

However, Congress people are openly talking about Chiranjeevi and welcoming his entry stating that the loser will be TDP. Majority of Telugu population is holding the same opinion now.

‘It won’t be a cakewalk for Chiru in politics’

Hyderabad: The Left parties are game to the idea of entry of Chiranjeevi into active politics but refuse to play ball—at least for now—on the likely impact he will create on the political firmament in the state. Both CPM and CPI are of the opinion that it augurs well for the state if more number of parties and players enter the political arena.

However, the leaders of both the parties are not ready to accept that mega star Chiranjeevi - for that matter BSP’s Mayawati - will make inroads into the base of the parties. All they say is people will have a wider choice, and hence they welcome Chiru’s entry. Quoting CPM strongman Prakash Karat, CPM state secretary B V Raghavulu says the next elections will be far more decisive if only the proposed party by Chiranjeevi comes out with a clear-cut ideology, programme and policies.

Refusing to hazard a guess on his party’s stand in case Chiru floats a new party, he said: “It will be premature to comment.” Playing the cards close to his chest, he said the Left parties have always welcomed a third alternative provided the policies and programmes are in tune with the CPM ideology.

“Whatever be the final political scenario, the Left will have a very decisive role to play in the months to come,” he said. The CPM got 1.84 per cent votes in the 2004 assembly elections and won nine out of 14 seats it contested. Joining the issue, CPM floor leader Nomula Narsimhaiah said the Congress due to its anti-poor and anti-farmer policies has landed itself into a difficult situation in this election year. “It will not be a smooth sailing for the Congress this time round,” he says.

Preferring to play it safe, CPI general secretary S Narayana told ‘TOI’ that people were unhappy with the present leadership of the Congress and the TDP, giving rise to the third alternative option. “Though more players — whether it is Chiranjeevi or Mayawati — are welcome, they will not be able to make a dent in the two Left parties,” he admitted.

“We are not expecting any dramatic developments as in 1983 when NTR established TDP and swept to power,” he said. The CPI got 1.55 per cent of the votes in the 2004 poll and won six out of 12 seats it had contested.

The TDP had polled 37.59 per cent as against 38.56 per cent votes received by the Congress. The BSP had polled 1.23 per cent of votes and emerged as the seventh largest party though it had won only one seat, forfeiting in the remaining 159 seats it had contested. However, the BSP had polled more votes.

Behind The Scene: PJR death clears VHR's way

Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy's sudden death has increased the stakes of Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao in the Hyderabad Congress politics.

PJR's follower, who feel orphaned after his death, are of the view that VHR is the only person they can rely on. Leaders like Secunderabad MP Anjan Kumar Yadav, PCC general secretay Nirajan and many others, who do not accept the leadership of Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee president Danam Nagender, are now rallying behind VHR, who is also more vocal and independent like PJR.

Indications are that VHR would play a more active role in the State politics, if he is not given the PCC chief post. With his proximity to the national leadership, he might emerge as a major centre in the State Congress, sources say.

Pawan responsible for BSP leader's ouster

Film actor Pawan Kalyan, who always remains in the midst of controversies, on Sunday proved too costly for BSP State leader Nalla Surya Prakash. According to informed sources, Surya Prakash has been replaced by BSP national president Mayawati. Though the reason behind the sudden change in the State BSP leadership is not officially known, sources point out that the BSP central leadership was quite angry at the role played by Surya Prakash, both in Pawan Kalyan issue and in the entry of TRS (N) leader A Narendra into the BSP. Surya Prakash has hogged all the limelight. He announced that Pawan Kalyan was joining the BSP. He said he had photo documentary evidence to support his claim.

There were also reports that film star and Pawan Kalyan's brother Chiranjeevi was projected by the BSP State president as the future chief minister of the State. Mayawati, who was apparently unhappy over her party's State unit leader going too far and taking his own decisions on crucial issues, decided to teach him a lesson. So she replaced him with some one who would toe her line of thought and would not create problems for her.

Political Talk: Babu puts stop to T talk

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu has virtually gagged the mouth of party leaders on the controversial Telangana issue. For the first time, Chandrababu Naidu made an open statement at a press conference at party State headquarters NTR Bhavan that Telugu Desam leaders and activists should not speak anything, good or bad, on Telangana. He also told them to approach him if they have to say something on the Telangana State.

Chandrababu Naidu's statement comes in the wake of reports that TD leaders from Telangana are divided on the demand for a separate State for the backward region. The TD supremo had faced certain embarrassing moments when media flashed the differences in the top leadership of the Telugu Desam on as crucial issue as the division of Andhra Pradesh to form a separate State for Telangana.

The TD chief could not hide his anger but made efforts to control it. His statement is a warning to senior leader T Devendar Goud and others to mend their ways if they had to remain in the Telugu Desam.

So there will be no T talk in the TD forums henceforth. One has to wait for Chandrababu Naidu's "appropriate time" to arrive for the TD chief to make a Telangana statement on his own.

Film stars can only sing and dance: Mayawati

Hyderabad: Launching the Bahujan Samaj Party's foray into Andhra Pradesh politics, its leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday made it clear that there was no place for film stars in her BSP.

Addressing a well-attended public meeting at the Nizam College grounds here, she urged people not to fall to the spell cast by film actors. 'The film actors can't serve the society. They can only dance and sing,' she said amid applause by the crowd.

Mayawati said the BSP was against admitting film personalities into the party in Uttar Pradesh and all other states, and asked party leaders in Andhra Pradesh not to make any attempt in this regard.

'BSP has no place for film actors. This is against our policy,' she said.

The BSP leader's comments are significant in view of the speculations that Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi could join the BSP or the party could invite him.

The clarification also came amid reports that Chiranjeevi's younger brother Pavan Kalyan, himself an actor, was keen to join the BSP. The party's state leaders had claimed a few days ago that Pavan Kalyan held talks with them.

Speculations were doing round since Sunday morning that Mayawati could call on Chiranjeevi to offer condolences after the death of his father. No such meeting took place and the BSP leader set the record straight at the public meeting.

Chiranjeevi, who is also engaged in some social activities, has a huge fan following in the state and his aides recently hinted that he would soon launch a political party.

During her hour-long speech, Mayawati repeatedly urged weaker sections of this southern state to replicate the Uttar Pradesh formula to gain political power in the state and at the centre to improve their socio-economic conditions and help BSP create a casteless society.

She promised to give separate statehood to Telangana region if the BSP formed government in New Delhi. The public meeting saw parliamentarian from Medak A. Narendra merging his Telangana Rashtra Samiti (Narendra) with the BSP.

Mayawati appealed to dalits, minorities and poor among upper castes to reject the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), their allies and some regional parties, and said these parties were responsible for exploiting them since the independence.

'You (weaker sections) are an overwhelming majority but the Congress, BJP and their allies which ruled the country and the states during the last 60 years followed a policy of divide and rule. They divided you all these years and made you feel that you are in minority,' she said.

Buzz: Opportunist Jogayya Licking Chiranjeevi!

Narsapuram Congress MP Chegundi Harirama Jogaiah has once again proved that he is the No. 1 opportunist in politics.

Being a Congress MP, it is totally unbecoming of him to say that Chiranjeevi is the next chief minister of the state. Hitherto, Harirama Jogaiah has been creating embarrassing moments for the Congress party with his separate Andhra slogan and he even went to Sonia Gandhi demanding separate Andhra State. He has been picking up arguments with the other Congress MPs too on this count.

Those who know the history of Harirama Jogaiah can recall that he is not a true Congressman. He joined the Telugu Desam; later moved into Congress; took a somersault into the Bharatiya Janata Party and then returned to Congress to become an MP. He is now once again contemplating taking a plunge into the Chirajeevi party, hoping that his Kapu caste would get him into the good books of Megastar.

Jogaiah incurred the wrath of the party high command for his unsavoury comments. If the Gandhi Bhavan sources are to be believed, the days of Jogaiah are numbered in the Congress.

Chiru's Security Officers Are Informers Now!

Now, everywhere the buzz is about Chiranjeevi. Freshly, the government of Andhra Pradesh provided Chiranjeevi with VIP security. This is the first time that a celebrity has been given this type of security. Experts believe this to be a ploy to keep track on the megastar's political activities. So, the security officers act as informers for Government.

There is a clear indication that the state government has put an eye on the star. Sources also confirmed that intelligence agencies have been asked to keep an eye on Chiranjeevi's activities. This is one of the main reasons why the government of Andhra Pradesh provided to Chiranjeevi a VIP Security all of a sudden. This is the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh that government has provided this type of security to a Celebrity. Presently only the cabinet ministers have been provided this type of security.

The government seems to be too cautious of the Telugu superstar's political plans. And that is why, though, Chiranjeevi has made his stand clear regarding his political entry, the party in power seems a bit worried.

Even political analysts believe that the security is nothing but to keep track and have the state intelligence agencies keep an eye on Chiranjeevi's activities.