Stage set for Chiranjeevi, the politician

Putting months of speculations and wait to an end, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi will finally make his political debut on Sunday afternoon. At 02:30 pm, the popular actor of Telugu movies, surrounded by his security guards, will appear before the media to unveil his much-awaited political plans.

The star has convened a press conference at his newly-built office in Jubilee Hills area to announce his political baptism. Invitations have been sent to all media organizations and organizers are not worried as far as the turnout of the journalists is concerned. In fact, they are afraid of too many of them turning up and creating a chaos as the media conference room has place only for 80 people.

According to the sources at the Chiru camp, all precautionary measures were being taken to keep the things manageable by specifically requesting all big media organizations to send only one reporter.

Security men have been asked to allow only those who have been invited.

Allu Arvind, Chiru's brother-in-law and political advisor, has issued an appeal to the fans of the star not to come to the office or gather outside and instead focus their attention on making Chiranjeevi's first public meeting at Tirupati on August 26.

By taking the political plunge, Chiranjeevi is following in to the footstep of another illustrious member of the Telugu film industry, thespian Nandamuri Tarakarama Rao popularly called NTR.

While Chiranjeevi's political debut has been debated for several years now, NTR had taken a sudden decision taking other political parties by surprise when he launched regional Telugu Desam party. Thus Chiranjeevi has not left any element of surprise in his political move but his plank, agenda and program remains under wraps.

Allu Arvind said Chiranjeevi will only talk about his entry in to politics on Sunday, leaving every thing else, including the name of his party and the date of the Tirupati meeting.

NTR had also entered politics at the height of his popularity. In March 1982, when he launched his party, he was the reigning deity of Telugu films and revered as a demi god enjoying unparalleled popularity and adulation.

Chiranjeevi too has a big fan following among the present crop of film stars today and commands the biggest price. It remains to be seen whether this popularity will turn into a political wave. NTR stormed to power with a huge majority within nine months of launching his party. Whether Chiranjeevi will be able to repeat the feat remains to be seen.

Meanwhile the Telugu Desam Party state secretary N V Prasad has announced his resignation from the party. Prasad said he will be joining Chiranjeevi's party. This is the latest in the series of set backs the TDP has suffered in the recent time. TDP's Member of Parliament from Chittoor Adikesavulu Naidu is also likely to announce his resignation on Sunday.

On the other hand, Congress MP from Narasapur Harirama Jogaiah has also said that he will announce his resignation from Congress on Sunday and join Chiranjeevi's party.