In other words, if a consolidation of the Munnuru Kapus and BCs can actually be achieved, Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam can be a runaway hit. Pundits are giving it anywhere between 60 and 145 seats. Either way, the Congress bank will break. The TDP bank is not a threat.
Not so, say sceptics. The problem with socially-backward classes in Andhra Pradesh is caste domination. They say that of the 800 non-resident Telugus who have come back home to 'help' Chiranjeevi, 720 are from his own caste. So the BCs would be well-advised to steer clear of such a grouping in their own interest.
Whatever the caste compulsions, political parties in Andhra Pradesh have been jolted into acting, and fast. This will be the state to watch in the Lok Sabha elections.
Image: Chiranjeevi gestures to the crowd at his first public rally in Tirupati.
Photograph: Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: Chiranjeevi says he will come to power next polls
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