Does history always repeat itself?
After 25 years, once again one reel hero wants to become a real hero. South India's famous film star Chiranjeevi wants to repeat ex-Chief Minister and greatest Andhraite Late NT Ramarao's (NTR) success. But political and social environment of Andhra Pradesh are completely different this time comparing with 25 years ago.
Films to Politics
NTR had proved that it is possible for a film star to successfully venture in to politics. Congress had continuously ruled Andhra Pradesh a state formed on November 1, 1956, till 1982. NTR's, Telugu Desham Party (TDP) overthrew the incumbent Congrees and came to power in 1983, within nine months of its formation. An achievment for any regional partry.
It will not be easy for Chiranjeevi to emulate NTR's success as the people then had only two parties to choose from compared to the present scenario where his party has to compete with not only major national parties (Congress, BJP, CPI) but also strong regional parties (Telugu Desham Party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti).
Congress had changed three Chief Ministers between Jan '82 and Oct' 82. It had helped NTR to garner public opinion on the ground of 'Atma Gauravam' (self-respect), that no Congress CM had ever completed his term of five years and the CM was just a toy in the hands of Delhi.
But this time around Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajashekher Reddy is successfully completing his term. So, this time around Chiranjeevi will not have the advantage that NTR had.
Regional compulsions
Chiranjeevi's political future depends on many issues. His first challenge would be how he will address the 'Telangana' issue. Andhra Pradesh includes three regions - Telangana, Raayalaseema and Coastal region (Costa). Telangana is demanding a separate state and Coastal Andhra and Raayalaseema are strongly against this.
Meanwhile, people of Andhra Pradesh are keenly watching how Chiranjeevi will handle this issue because he comes from Costa. If he supports Telangana, he does not get support from other two regions.
He felt the heat of regional politics few years back when he played a Raayalaseema resident in his film 'Indra' and kissed the land of Raayalaseema in a particular scene. His fans of other regions had vehemently opposed his act in that scene. Striking a balance between the issues of these three regions is critically important to his political career.
NTR then had no political compulsion to take a stand on Telangana issue. Presently, the demand for a separate state of Telangana is like a hot potato and no party can afford to ignore this.
Caste politics too plays a major role in every region in Andhra Pradesh. There are three major casts Kamma, Kaapu and Reddy here. Lakhs of his fans will have to break these caste lines to bring their 'hero' at the center of politics. And this generally doesn't happen in India, especially when it comes to caste.
Star power
In politics NTR didn't have any opposition from the film industry. On the other hand most of the film stars supported his endeavor. This time around the film industry is divided in its support to various political parties.
The coming elections will be a star-studded one. With every star trying to en-cash his reel image aura to garner votes for their respective parties.
NTR's son Balakrishna and Harikrishna and grandson Junior NTR are supporting TDP.
Dr Rajashekar and his wife Jeevita have joined Congress recently. Another famous film star Krishna and his son Mahesh Babu are likely to campaign for Congress, which is likely to bring in huge support for the party.
Chiranjeevi's bothers Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan, son Ram Charan and son-in-law Allu Arjun are already playing a big role in shaping their upcoming party.
All the above film stars have ruled the film industry one time or the other and have even competed against each other at the box-office. Now it has to be seen, how these stars will convert their fan following into votes.
Chiranjeevi means living forever
Chiranjeevi was formerly known as Konidela Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad (KSSV Prasad). He was christened Chiranjeevi after he had a dream in which lord Hanuman addressed him as 'Chiranjeevi'. He also felt that this name would suit his film career.
Chiranjeevi's hard work and dedication towards his profession brought him success and big fan fallowing. Fans down south emulated every act, dialogue, dress-style and dance in his films, resulting in more than three thousand fans clubs. Through these fan clubs he has pioneered eye and blood donation drives.
He is a mass icon of Andhra Pradesh. All set for his political career. He mentioned at the press conference on 17th August that his motivation to enter politics came from ex president Abdul Kalam and the people of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike politicians, his focus is poverty and not political parties. He rightly chooses Mother Teresa's birthday to announce his party on August 26.
Political parties like Congress, TDP and BJP have already started targeting Chiranjeevi's upcoming new party. Spokespersons of these political parties mention that he comes from glamour world and he doesn't know anything about Andhra Pradesh and state politics.
We will know how true are the above allegations, only when Chiranjeevi goes to the people for votes.
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Success in any field does not mean any strength in other fields. Even NTR could not retain his position after coming to power, although he took the advantage of weakness of congress party at that time. Understanding the peoples's problems is not everybody's cup of tea, leave aside solving them under the limitations in the system. A good and successful player/educationist/scientist/artist/businessman are good in their fields only. Ultimately they endup as failures when they enter other areas. Many film stars tried their hands in business and the results are before all. It is better and graceful if they maintain their stature in their relevant fields. ...Reply
Dear Sunil
Its a nice article on Mr.Chiranjeevi's political entry in Andhra Pradesh
As you have mentioned rightly it is definitely going to affect Andhra Politics to a remarkable extent.
There is no doubt the Superstar has very good following in the people of Andhra Pradesh especially Youth..to be particular the Mass!
He has been ruling the telugu film industry since decades..
People fight for his new release tickets..settle there before the theatre booking counters till they get entry tickets.
His latest films decently highlighted the burning social and political issues..especially the major issue like corruption across the departments made the common man to think and it also it was presented how to handle.
As the party agenda is yet to be declared.. we can not comment exactly how many seats he is going to grab!
But one thing we can surely tell us here is ... already in the minds of the ruling and opposition party leaders the fear has started of losing their own seats..
The migrations are started already..
we wish the common man should benefit out of the Superstar! ...Reply
with chiranjeevi ,there is a hope that the state will have corruption free administration. ...Reply
Dear Sunil Pundhri Garu
I am really suprised with your comments in this posting,There is nothing new in Chiranjeevi comming to Andhra Pradesh politics,He has been doing this for thirty years in Telugu Flim Industry with his Acting in the flims without any Good/noble message to the youth,who are just following him and projecting themselves as fans of chiranjeevi, and As a Artist he Made these people, so call themselves as Fans of chiranjeevi to distract from their main family problems,i bet with you,That chiranjeevi is only interested in Having Poltical power, which will benfit him to protect his huge money and his family properties with his politicial power,In my view he can be out politics and do goodthings to the people and serve the people,as a good citizen of our country, he alone cannot clean the indian politics,when it was not possible for Mahatma Gandhi to clean Indian political System, How can he play drama saying that he will clean poltical system of secuilar india, or Andhra pradesh if he Becomes 'C M' Of Andhra Pradesh all the fans of chiranjeevi will become poltical leaders and drive them all to become selfish and poltical dons,and they will work for their selfish ends and their personal gains without looking into the main issues/problems of the common people like us,Yes History is repeating,Yes I agree with you that 25yrs back there was a big Drama by 'NTR'which has been a big failure after 10yrs,all the fans of chiranjeevi and his family memebers will be holding high post in the state Govt Depts just fulfil their personal interest,and keep all the interests of the common peoples to the their respective Fate,one thing what i absorbed from Press meet of shri Chiranjeevi on sunday is he is not interested in all regions of Andhra pradesh,coz he doesnt want to tackle the main issue that is Telangana issue,which is a burning issue for Telangana region from 1956,he wants to make same mistake as Shri N T Rama Rao has done 1983 till he died,and people like who are very happy in life will talk in favour for this selfish Artists,Is it not a shame to all the Indians.
...Reply
Good blog.. Here two questions arise, Chiru entry in politics is Justifiable? If yes,then how. It depends on the individual how one thinks about this. Mainly in Andhra Pradesh there is more corruption and there is indifinite gap between the social service schemes provided for the poor and its results. If his agenda is to fill the gap between these two areas he will be a succssful hero in reality show of politics. Otherwise, there will not be much difference between Babu, YS and Chiru. e.g YS promised 2Rs/kilo rice. Just for vote bank he is doing this, blindly Babu is also supporting this if he gets power in next time. But chiru should think like, buying capacity of the poor should be increased. public is spending 1Rs per call on mobile. Ofcourse, this is debatable with politicians, but I feel my point is correct. One more example here, to enter ap Secretariate one has to pay min 12K Rs as token advance to agents and one can solve his issues with government based on the requirement( there will be separate bribe based on solution, it may vary to crores). It is open/universal truth there. think about money they get. In every government office, more or less it will be similar. ( I do not have exact proofs for this). One day should come to abolish this... when?... some one should come forward to take tough decisions and implement as most of public are moulded to offer/take bribe.I agree that, Congress and TDP implemented good schemes across AP, how far it is reaching the poor. The same party people enjoy the benefit the schemes. it is open secret in INDIA. so we want one leader who will implement disciplined politics and administration in government offices. For development of society interms of economy, culture each and every person is responsible. Political leaders and administrative are more important. He should let people think that they are responsible and make things should happen in right way.Otherwise, as I told before there will not be much difference between these leaders. ...Reply
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