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Sunday, September 7, 2008
Goud sets Nov 1 deadline for separate T state
Nava Telangana Praja Party (NTPP) president T Devender Goud said on Saturday that the people of the Telangana region would themselves announce a s e p a r at e state if the government failed to do so before November 1 this year.
Speaking in public meetings and road shows at various places in the district on Saturday, Goud said the Telangana people will not tolerate the political parties who are dilly-dallying on the contentious issue of separate state for some time now.
The NTPP chief also announced that the boards of all government offices would have the name ‘Telangana’ in place of Andhra Pradesh very soon.
Launching an attack on the Congress and the Telugu Desam for misleading the people of the region, Devender Goud said that the people of the region have been deceived by the Congress during the last five decades.
As part of his two-day tour programme in the district, Goud conducted road shows in Yellareddy, Banswada, Bodhan, Jukkal and other places in Nizamabad district.
Speaking in public meetings and road shows at various places in the district on Saturday, Goud said the Telangana people will not tolerate the political parties who are dilly-dallying on the contentious issue of separate state for some time now.
The NTPP chief also announced that the boards of all government offices would have the name ‘Telangana’ in place of Andhra Pradesh very soon.
Launching an attack on the Congress and the Telugu Desam for misleading the people of the region, Devender Goud said that the people of the region have been deceived by the Congress during the last five decades.
As part of his two-day tour programme in the district, Goud conducted road shows in Yellareddy, Banswada, Bodhan, Jukkal and other places in Nizamabad district.
Labels: A.P.Politics, Goud sets Nov 1 deadline for separate T state
Power troubles get serious in Old City
Launching a scathing attack on the government for its ‘empty promises’, political activists of the Old City have appealed to the residents not to pay electricity bills for September if their power woes are not sorted out within three days.
At an all-party meet to address the issue of power cuts, specially during ‘Taraveeh’ special prayers of Ramzan which are performed in the night, political activists, residents, religious organisations and representatives of NGOs lashed out at the imposition of regular power cuts despite government’s promises of uninterrupted power supply during the holy month. “With no power, we are unable to address the gathering as the
place is plunged into darkness,’’ a representative from the Ujale Shah Mosque Committee, Saidabad, put forth. Amjedullah Khan of Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) demanded release of documents from the Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) which show power disruptions in specific locations. “Earlier, along with MLAs and MPs, representatives of religious, non-political organisations were also called for the yearly Ramzan meetings. However, this is not being done since the Congress government came to power,” Khan rued.
CPM MP Aziz Pasha, who is a member of the energy standing committee, said that the government has failed to serve the people properly. “There is a limit to everything. If the government does not take any action, we will be forced to take the other path. Largescale dharnas will be organised,” Pasha said.
K Shekhar of CPI said contract workers in government services had worsened the situation.
At an all-party meet to address the issue of power cuts, specially during ‘Taraveeh’ special prayers of Ramzan which are performed in the night, political activists, residents, religious organisations and representatives of NGOs lashed out at the imposition of regular power cuts despite government’s promises of uninterrupted power supply during the holy month. “With no power, we are unable to address the gathering as the
place is plunged into darkness,’’ a representative from the Ujale Shah Mosque Committee, Saidabad, put forth. Amjedullah Khan of Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) demanded release of documents from the Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) which show power disruptions in specific locations. “Earlier, along with MLAs and MPs, representatives of religious, non-political organisations were also called for the yearly Ramzan meetings. However, this is not being done since the Congress government came to power,” Khan rued.
CPM MP Aziz Pasha, who is a member of the energy standing committee, said that the government has failed to serve the people properly. “There is a limit to everything. If the government does not take any action, we will be forced to take the other path. Largescale dharnas will be organised,” Pasha said.
K Shekhar of CPI said contract workers in government services had worsened the situation.
Labels: A.P.Politics, Power troubles get serious in Old City
Will Amar have a Sonia message for Chiranjeevi?
Will Amar Singh convey a pehgaam (message) from Sonia Gandhi when he meets Chiranjeevi on Sunday evening? This was the speculation in Hyderabad on Saturday on the eve of the crucial meeting that might set the tenor for pre-poll alliances in Andhra Pradesh. Analysts wondered whether Amar Singh would assure __ albeit very indirectly __ the megastar of the chief minister's gaddi in case he chose to ally with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress for the forthcoming elections and the combine is able to secure a majority in the assembly.
For the records, the Amar Singh-Chiranjeevi meeting is being billed as a courtesy call. Amar Singh who has emerged as the nation's foremost political fixer is expected to be accompanied by Jayaprada who has acted opposite Chiranjeevi in many Telugu films.
"The Congress and its allies are focussed on coming to power in New Delhi post elections 2009. For this, every seat would count. To ensure this the Congress bosses would be quite willing to do a deal for the chief ministership of AP," a political insider averred. Analysts pointed out that SP had no presence in AP and therefore Amar Singh's purpose is only to explore the possibility of a national alliance with Chiranjeevi's Prajarajyam.
The meeting that has been facilitated by the intervention of superhero Amitabh Bachchan is in the backdrop of the assessment that Chiranjeevi will force a threeway fight in AP. Though the assessment of many is that Prajarajyam will come third in the battle, the party's support will become crucial for whichever party comes first to form a government.
"Whatever he might say, Chiranjeevi entered politics to become the chief minister and therefore he is not expected to compromise for anything less is possibly the assessment in the Congress headquarters. Of course, Chiranjeevi's bargaining chip would depend on the number of seats he gets in the assembly and the Lok Sabha," an analyst said.
He and other political watchers however conceded that Chiranjeevi was unlikely to enter into any pre-poll alliance with the Congress. "He intends to gather at least part of the anti-incumbency votes that will go against the Congress by virtue of being is power. He will not be foolish enough to tie up with the party before the polls," the analyst said.
"Such a tie-up will only benefit the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that will pick up all the anti-incumbency votes," the analyst added. For the records, the spokesmen of Chiranjeevi's party have asserted that they will go alone in the polls. The assertion was made in the wake of speculations of a possible alliance between Prajarajyam and the BJP. Analysts feel that the trip by Amar Singh to Hyderabad has also been spurred by this speculation."
For the records, the Amar Singh-Chiranjeevi meeting is being billed as a courtesy call. Amar Singh who has emerged as the nation's foremost political fixer is expected to be accompanied by Jayaprada who has acted opposite Chiranjeevi in many Telugu films.
"The Congress and its allies are focussed on coming to power in New Delhi post elections 2009. For this, every seat would count. To ensure this the Congress bosses would be quite willing to do a deal for the chief ministership of AP," a political insider averred. Analysts pointed out that SP had no presence in AP and therefore Amar Singh's purpose is only to explore the possibility of a national alliance with Chiranjeevi's Prajarajyam.
The meeting that has been facilitated by the intervention of superhero Amitabh Bachchan is in the backdrop of the assessment that Chiranjeevi will force a threeway fight in AP. Though the assessment of many is that Prajarajyam will come third in the battle, the party's support will become crucial for whichever party comes first to form a government.
"Whatever he might say, Chiranjeevi entered politics to become the chief minister and therefore he is not expected to compromise for anything less is possibly the assessment in the Congress headquarters. Of course, Chiranjeevi's bargaining chip would depend on the number of seats he gets in the assembly and the Lok Sabha," an analyst said.
He and other political watchers however conceded that Chiranjeevi was unlikely to enter into any pre-poll alliance with the Congress. "He intends to gather at least part of the anti-incumbency votes that will go against the Congress by virtue of being is power. He will not be foolish enough to tie up with the party before the polls," the analyst said.
"Such a tie-up will only benefit the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that will pick up all the anti-incumbency votes," the analyst added. For the records, the spokesmen of Chiranjeevi's party have asserted that they will go alone in the polls. The assertion was made in the wake of speculations of a possible alliance between Prajarajyam and the BJP. Analysts feel that the trip by Amar Singh to Hyderabad has also been spurred by this speculation."
Labels: Will Amar have a Sonia message for Chiranjeevi
34 YRS OF OSTRACISM ENDS AS NSG GRANTS CLEAN WAIVER FOR NUKE TRADE
The deal is done. And it's a big deal for India. It has gained the unique status of being the only nuclear weapons country to be included in global nuclear commerce without signing either the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - - until now a precondition for entering mainstream nuclear trade.
When the NSG "adjusted its guidelines'' for India on Saturday, after 76 hours of high-voltage drama, to waive the precondition and open the door for New Delhi to join the world nuclear high table, a delicious piece of irony was enacted -- the NSG was formed 34 years ago as a response to India's 1974 Pokharan test and that very body was bending its rules to mainstream India's nuclear ambition.
The NSG's approval was also Manmohan Singh's moment. The Prime Minister, who had quietly worked out the architecture of the Indo-US nuclear deal with US President George Bush, clinched a piece of history on Saturday for salvaging a deal after staving off a huge threat to his government and his political career. Singh described the NSG waiver as a "forward looking and momentous decision''. Bush praised Singh for his "strong leadership'' in ensuring success at Vienna.
The deal will not just give India access to nuclear fissile material and technology with which it can mount a credible nuclear energy programme, it will also open up certain key technologies for India -- hi-tech that is used by a number of industries like pharma, IT, space and defence, but is also used for nuclear technology and is hence barred for those outside the nuclear club.
The implications of the deal will be beyond energy and technology. In strategic terms, it now brings India much closer to the US and several European countries.
WHAT IT MEANS?
UNIQUE STATUS: Ends 34-year nuclear isolation following 1974 Pokhran test. India now gets N-technology, keeps its nuclear program, doesn’t sign NPT, CTBT
N-MAINSTREAM: India can carry out nuclear trade, gets options for nuclear power and access to sensitive hi-tech that serves industry but is also used for nuclear technology; will help sectors like IT, space, pharma, defence, manufacturing
RISING POWER: Shows India as an emerging power. Waiver also came as India seen as a stable democracy and growing market economy
STRATEGIC SHIFT: India comes closer to the US. As also France, Germany, UK, other European countries, Russia, Japan, Australia. Indo-China ties could get frosty
GREAT DIVIDE: De-hyphenation with Pak complete. India now in category of responsible N-powers with impeccable non-proliferation record
WHAT NEXT?
US Congress expected to take up Indo-US 123 pact when it meets on Monday. It must be approved by Sept 28, when the session ends
Bush expected to ask Congress to skip mandatory 30-day period required for putting up pact for approval. Would like to see it through without re-look
Both sides may sign pact when PM goes to US at month’s end. India will then sign similar pacts with other N-suppliers Now, N-scene shifts to US
Vienna: The exception NSG has made for India on Saturday did not come easily but, at the end of the day, came largely because of the recognition of India as a strong emerging power, with a stable democratic system, growing market economy and business appeal. India’s earlier unilateral moratorium to nuclear testing — made by the Vajpayee government and cited by foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday morning — of course helped winning over the last few naysayers at NSG.
Now the scene will shift to the US for the final ratification of the Indo-US nuclear civil cooperation agreement by an up-down vote of the US Congress which meets on Monday. The Bush administration is expected to persuade American lawmakers to pass the pact before the session ends by September 26 by not insisting on the mandatory 30-day session period required to present the agreement for approval. If all goes well, Manmohan Singh will sign the agreement with President Bush in Washington towards the end of the month.
Back on NSG’s decision, it came Saturday morning after two days of bruising diplomacy that saw the last of the conscientious objectors wilting under sustained US pressure. Six of the last objectors, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands and Switzerland, relented after India went the extra mile to reassure them on its nonproliferation commitments, and the US, France and UK sat hard on them.
Until Friday night, when the NSG sat, exhausted through round after round of talks until 2.30 am, two things happened. A modification was made in the waiver text that had been circulating for a week, but with which some countries still had problems. Here, India’s statement earlier in the day came in handy, and a link was made between India’s commitments and the adjustment of the guidelines.
The amendment, which was agreed by the US and India, arrived on their tables at 1 am Saturday morning. After that, the objections melted away. The change reads thus: “Based on commitments in the political declaration of (India’s foreign ministry), “ participating states have decided on .... This was the only change that India permitted in the draft. There was a clamour for more changes, but India had already reached its bottomlines. In the past few weeks that had become very clear to the US.
When the NSG "adjusted its guidelines'' for India on Saturday, after 76 hours of high-voltage drama, to waive the precondition and open the door for New Delhi to join the world nuclear high table, a delicious piece of irony was enacted -- the NSG was formed 34 years ago as a response to India's 1974 Pokharan test and that very body was bending its rules to mainstream India's nuclear ambition.
The NSG's approval was also Manmohan Singh's moment. The Prime Minister, who had quietly worked out the architecture of the Indo-US nuclear deal with US President George Bush, clinched a piece of history on Saturday for salvaging a deal after staving off a huge threat to his government and his political career. Singh described the NSG waiver as a "forward looking and momentous decision''. Bush praised Singh for his "strong leadership'' in ensuring success at Vienna.
The deal will not just give India access to nuclear fissile material and technology with which it can mount a credible nuclear energy programme, it will also open up certain key technologies for India -- hi-tech that is used by a number of industries like pharma, IT, space and defence, but is also used for nuclear technology and is hence barred for those outside the nuclear club.
The implications of the deal will be beyond energy and technology. In strategic terms, it now brings India much closer to the US and several European countries.
WHAT IT MEANS?
UNIQUE STATUS: Ends 34-year nuclear isolation following 1974 Pokhran test. India now gets N-technology, keeps its nuclear program, doesn’t sign NPT, CTBT
N-MAINSTREAM: India can carry out nuclear trade, gets options for nuclear power and access to sensitive hi-tech that serves industry but is also used for nuclear technology; will help sectors like IT, space, pharma, defence, manufacturing
RISING POWER: Shows India as an emerging power. Waiver also came as India seen as a stable democracy and growing market economy
STRATEGIC SHIFT: India comes closer to the US. As also France, Germany, UK, other European countries, Russia, Japan, Australia. Indo-China ties could get frosty
GREAT DIVIDE: De-hyphenation with Pak complete. India now in category of responsible N-powers with impeccable non-proliferation record
WHAT NEXT?
US Congress expected to take up Indo-US 123 pact when it meets on Monday. It must be approved by Sept 28, when the session ends
Bush expected to ask Congress to skip mandatory 30-day period required for putting up pact for approval. Would like to see it through without re-look
Both sides may sign pact when PM goes to US at month’s end. India will then sign similar pacts with other N-suppliers Now, N-scene shifts to US
Vienna: The exception NSG has made for India on Saturday did not come easily but, at the end of the day, came largely because of the recognition of India as a strong emerging power, with a stable democratic system, growing market economy and business appeal. India’s earlier unilateral moratorium to nuclear testing — made by the Vajpayee government and cited by foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday morning — of course helped winning over the last few naysayers at NSG.
Now the scene will shift to the US for the final ratification of the Indo-US nuclear civil cooperation agreement by an up-down vote of the US Congress which meets on Monday. The Bush administration is expected to persuade American lawmakers to pass the pact before the session ends by September 26 by not insisting on the mandatory 30-day session period required to present the agreement for approval. If all goes well, Manmohan Singh will sign the agreement with President Bush in Washington towards the end of the month.
Back on NSG’s decision, it came Saturday morning after two days of bruising diplomacy that saw the last of the conscientious objectors wilting under sustained US pressure. Six of the last objectors, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands and Switzerland, relented after India went the extra mile to reassure them on its nonproliferation commitments, and the US, France and UK sat hard on them.
Until Friday night, when the NSG sat, exhausted through round after round of talks until 2.30 am, two things happened. A modification was made in the waiver text that had been circulating for a week, but with which some countries still had problems. Here, India’s statement earlier in the day came in handy, and a link was made between India’s commitments and the adjustment of the guidelines.
The amendment, which was agreed by the US and India, arrived on their tables at 1 am Saturday morning. After that, the objections melted away. The change reads thus: “Based on commitments in the political declaration of (India’s foreign ministry), “ participating states have decided on .... This was the only change that India permitted in the draft. There was a clamour for more changes, but India had already reached its bottomlines. In the past few weeks that had become very clear to the US.
Labels: India N-abled, Indian Politics
Friday, August 22, 2008
Madhu Koda likely to resign today
Shibu Soren is tantalisingly close to realising his aspiration to be the chief minister of Jharkhand — a state he helped form — with the UPA leadership successfully persuading incumbent Madhu Koda to step down for ‘Guruji’.
Koda is expected to announce his resignation on Saturday.
The agreement with Koda capped hectic parleys among UPA partners to facilitate Soren’s ascension.
A power-sharing arrangement has been worked out which centres on maintaining the status quo with the significant exception of change at the helm.
All members of the Koda ministry — the two deputy chief ministers and the seven Independents who play ‘kingmaker’ — are proposed to be retained while the outgoing CM may be given charge of the UPA steering committee.
The committee will not be mere cosmetic as RJD, which was loath to support Soren and came around only at the instance of the Congress leadership, expects it to protect its interests in the state.
While Soren’s decision to pull out of the coalition government had looked as ill-timed bravado, he managed to pull it off with the help of the Congress leadership which needs his five votes in the Lok Sabha and is keen to repeat the alliance with the JMM and RJD which helped it sweep all but one of the 14 seats Jharkhand has in the Lower House.
Stephen Marandi, who was till recently a Soren loyalist, remains a holdout, but the UPA managers are confident of bringing him around.
Fears of early assembly polls — a certain prospect if Soren is not made the chief minister — may prove the calculation right. The Koda government failed to perform and those associated with it are likely to pay a heavy price at the hustings.
Jharkhand watchers don’t expect the change to ring in anything different, but are apprehensive that the arrival of a new chief minister and the proximity of polls may lead to a fresh scramble for mining leases in the resource-rich state
Koda is expected to announce his resignation on Saturday.
The agreement with Koda capped hectic parleys among UPA partners to facilitate Soren’s ascension.
A power-sharing arrangement has been worked out which centres on maintaining the status quo with the significant exception of change at the helm.
All members of the Koda ministry — the two deputy chief ministers and the seven Independents who play ‘kingmaker’ — are proposed to be retained while the outgoing CM may be given charge of the UPA steering committee.
The committee will not be mere cosmetic as RJD, which was loath to support Soren and came around only at the instance of the Congress leadership, expects it to protect its interests in the state.
While Soren’s decision to pull out of the coalition government had looked as ill-timed bravado, he managed to pull it off with the help of the Congress leadership which needs his five votes in the Lok Sabha and is keen to repeat the alliance with the JMM and RJD which helped it sweep all but one of the 14 seats Jharkhand has in the Lower House.
Stephen Marandi, who was till recently a Soren loyalist, remains a holdout, but the UPA managers are confident of bringing him around.
Fears of early assembly polls — a certain prospect if Soren is not made the chief minister — may prove the calculation right. The Koda government failed to perform and those associated with it are likely to pay a heavy price at the hustings.
Jharkhand watchers don’t expect the change to ring in anything different, but are apprehensive that the arrival of a new chief minister and the proximity of polls may lead to a fresh scramble for mining leases in the resource-rich state
Labels: Indian Politics
NSG waiver: US hints at changes in text
The United States on Friday indicated for the first time that it might be agreeable to accommodating changes in the NSG waiver proposal but claimed in the same breath tha it was pushing for a clean text.
“I don’t want to lie to you...I can’t really lie. There might be some changes that we could accept. But we are pushing for a clean text,” US assistant secretary of state (South and Central Asian affairs) told reporters in Mumbai.
“We need to listen to countries that have objections,” Boucher said, adding that “we won’t allow anything that will impede (the Indo-US civil nuclear) deal”.
“The US and India will have to sit together and see what we can accommodate and what we can’t. We will have to talk to the other governments involved”, Boucher said. “If you are making an exception... There has to be a certain logic to it,” he said.
Stating that “this deal is a good deal for India, not just in terms of economic growth and energy but also in terms of India’s relations with international community,” he said, “It is a big deal for us and a big deal for India. The ball is in everybody’s court”.
“Most of the countries I talked to and most of the countries we are hearing from Vienna are positive. They understand the sort of importance in having cooperation with India,” he said.
Boucher said that the Bush administration plans to present the deal to the US Congress in September for its endorsement. He said there was no possibility of the deal being scrapped by the next government in New Delhi as the agreement was between two nations and the new government was obliged to honour the international commitments of the earlier regime.
However, the issue of forging a strategic alliance between India and the US will have to wait till new governments are installed in both Washington and New Delhi, Boucher said.
“I don’t want to lie to you...I can’t really lie. There might be some changes that we could accept. But we are pushing for a clean text,” US assistant secretary of state (South and Central Asian affairs) told reporters in Mumbai.
“We need to listen to countries that have objections,” Boucher said, adding that “we won’t allow anything that will impede (the Indo-US civil nuclear) deal”.
“The US and India will have to sit together and see what we can accommodate and what we can’t. We will have to talk to the other governments involved”, Boucher said. “If you are making an exception... There has to be a certain logic to it,” he said.
Stating that “this deal is a good deal for India, not just in terms of economic growth and energy but also in terms of India’s relations with international community,” he said, “It is a big deal for us and a big deal for India. The ball is in everybody’s court”.
“Most of the countries I talked to and most of the countries we are hearing from Vienna are positive. They understand the sort of importance in having cooperation with India,” he said.
Boucher said that the Bush administration plans to present the deal to the US Congress in September for its endorsement. He said there was no possibility of the deal being scrapped by the next government in New Delhi as the agreement was between two nations and the new government was obliged to honour the international commitments of the earlier regime.
However, the issue of forging a strategic alliance between India and the US will have to wait till new governments are installed in both Washington and New Delhi, Boucher said.
Labels: American Politics
Chiranjeevi to seek people’s blessings, not Lord’s
Though megastar Chiranjeevi has chosen the temple city of Tirupati as his launch pad for unveiling his political party, interestingly he will not be offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara like NTR, Chandrababu Naidu and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
Talking to ‘TOI’ in Tirupati on Friday, Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind ruled out reports that Chiranjeevi would offer prayers to the Lord at Tirumala on August 25 and perform a special abhishekam and pujas at Hanuman temple in Japali Theertham on the hill town on August 26 and later take part in the public meeting at Avilala Tank. “We don’t know how these rumours have come about. Chiru has not yet planned his Tirumala trip. He will be landing here on August 26 and launching his party at the public meeting,” he said.
Asked whether the megastar would make his appearance in “Teluguvani Panchekattu” (a la YSR) or in shirtpant (like Naidu), Aravind said with a broad smile: “I cannot reveal that right now as it is a huge suspense.”He said they want to complete the meeting within three hours before 7 pm for the convenience of the public. “Only Chiru will be on the stage while all others, including VIPs, would sit along with the public. Chiranjeevi will be spending some time with physically challenged fans. Later, he will address the public,” he added.
To a query he said the government was extending full co-operation for organising the meeting on a large-scale. Thanking the district police for extending the security cover to the star, Aravind said that besides 2,500 police personnel, 1,000 well-trained personal security of Chiru and 3,000 volunteers would be controlling over 10 lakh people who are expected to converge
on the Avilala Tank area. Sources said the film actor’s fans had already booked 25 trains. The specially challenged fans would be received by the volunteers in bus and railway stations and taken to the meeting. An exclusive gallery has been set up for them. “They will be provided free meals and would be dropped at the railway and bus stations after the meeting,” he said. Meanwhile, the megastar’s decision not to visit Tirumala temple seems to have not gone down well with his fans. “Annaiah should change his decision and pay a visit to Tirumala. Otherwise, all his efforts for uplift of the poor will go in vain,” an ardent fan not wanting to be named said. “There is a strong belief among the leaders as well among the public that whoever pays obeisance to the Lord will rule the state,” an analyst said. The belief had never gone wrong as NTR, Naidu and YSR became CMs after praying at Tirumala, he recalled.
Passerby hurt in Chiru birthday bash
A person was injured in Tirupati when the over enthusiastic fans of Chiranjeevi celebrating the actor’s 53rd birthday were bursting fire crackers at Four Pillar junction road. According to sources, about 50 fans gathered at the junction to celebrate the occasion in a big way. A Murali (28), a passerby, was hit by a cracker on his face and in the process his teeth were broken. Even before the public gathered, the fans quickly left the place. The injured person was later taken to a hospital.
Chiru B-day fete stopped at Tirumala
The fans also tried to celebrate their icon’s B-day right in the temple town where political events are strictly banned. Over 40 Chiru fans tried to distribute food packets in front of Annadanam Complex in Tirumala. The TTD vigilance sleuths prevented them since it would become a political promotion activity.
As per rules and regulations any political event or meeting is strictly banned in Tirumala.
B-day wishes from
daughter Srija
Hyderabad: Chiranjeevi’s daughter Srija on Friday morning called him up on the occasion of his 54th birthday and wished him all success for his political party.
Srija and her husband Sirish Bharadwaj had had a strained relationship with the actor’s family eversince their marriage last year. The actor had not accepted Sirish as his son-in-law and not even visited his granddaughter, who was born two months ago.
Asked whether the star wanted to patch up before naming of the party on August 26, they said there was no talk on the issue. According to a source close to the couple, the hero-turned-politician was talking to Srija daily, but was waiting for an opportune moment to patch up with the couple.
Talking to ‘TOI’ in Tirupati on Friday, Chiranjeevi’s brother-in-law Allu Aravind ruled out reports that Chiranjeevi would offer prayers to the Lord at Tirumala on August 25 and perform a special abhishekam and pujas at Hanuman temple in Japali Theertham on the hill town on August 26 and later take part in the public meeting at Avilala Tank. “We don’t know how these rumours have come about. Chiru has not yet planned his Tirumala trip. He will be landing here on August 26 and launching his party at the public meeting,” he said.
Asked whether the megastar would make his appearance in “Teluguvani Panchekattu” (a la YSR) or in shirtpant (like Naidu), Aravind said with a broad smile: “I cannot reveal that right now as it is a huge suspense.”He said they want to complete the meeting within three hours before 7 pm for the convenience of the public. “Only Chiru will be on the stage while all others, including VIPs, would sit along with the public. Chiranjeevi will be spending some time with physically challenged fans. Later, he will address the public,” he added.
To a query he said the government was extending full co-operation for organising the meeting on a large-scale. Thanking the district police for extending the security cover to the star, Aravind said that besides 2,500 police personnel, 1,000 well-trained personal security of Chiru and 3,000 volunteers would be controlling over 10 lakh people who are expected to converge
on the Avilala Tank area. Sources said the film actor’s fans had already booked 25 trains. The specially challenged fans would be received by the volunteers in bus and railway stations and taken to the meeting. An exclusive gallery has been set up for them. “They will be provided free meals and would be dropped at the railway and bus stations after the meeting,” he said. Meanwhile, the megastar’s decision not to visit Tirumala temple seems to have not gone down well with his fans. “Annaiah should change his decision and pay a visit to Tirumala. Otherwise, all his efforts for uplift of the poor will go in vain,” an ardent fan not wanting to be named said. “There is a strong belief among the leaders as well among the public that whoever pays obeisance to the Lord will rule the state,” an analyst said. The belief had never gone wrong as NTR, Naidu and YSR became CMs after praying at Tirumala, he recalled.
Passerby hurt in Chiru birthday bash
A person was injured in Tirupati when the over enthusiastic fans of Chiranjeevi celebrating the actor’s 53rd birthday were bursting fire crackers at Four Pillar junction road. According to sources, about 50 fans gathered at the junction to celebrate the occasion in a big way. A Murali (28), a passerby, was hit by a cracker on his face and in the process his teeth were broken. Even before the public gathered, the fans quickly left the place. The injured person was later taken to a hospital.
Chiru B-day fete stopped at Tirumala
The fans also tried to celebrate their icon’s B-day right in the temple town where political events are strictly banned. Over 40 Chiru fans tried to distribute food packets in front of Annadanam Complex in Tirumala. The TTD vigilance sleuths prevented them since it would become a political promotion activity.
As per rules and regulations any political event or meeting is strictly banned in Tirumala.
B-day wishes from
daughter Srija
Hyderabad: Chiranjeevi’s daughter Srija on Friday morning called him up on the occasion of his 54th birthday and wished him all success for his political party.
Srija and her husband Sirish Bharadwaj had had a strained relationship with the actor’s family eversince their marriage last year. The actor had not accepted Sirish as his son-in-law and not even visited his granddaughter, who was born two months ago.
Asked whether the star wanted to patch up before naming of the party on August 26, they said there was no talk on the issue. According to a source close to the couple, the hero-turned-politician was talking to Srija daily, but was waiting for an opportune moment to patch up with the couple.
Labels: A.P.Politics
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