Hyderabad, March 15 (IANS) The elections in Andhra Pradesh will witness an interesting clash between two popular brothers of Telugu cinema.
K. Chiranjeevi, who is leading the poll campaign of the Congress party in Seemandhra or residuary Andhra Pradesh, will come face to face with his younger brother Pawan Kalyan, who floated a new political party Friday with a call to bury the Congress in both Seemandhra and Telangana.
If Chiranjeevi had formed Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) eight months before 2009 elections, his brother has floated Jana Sena less than two months before simultaneous polls to the assembly and the Lok Sabha.
Andhra Pradesh will be formally split into two states in June but the Congress and other parties have already formed separate committees.
Though Pawan was not clear whether he and his party will contest the elections, he vowed to ensure that Congress lose in every constituency. Addressing thousands of his fans here Friday night, he gave a call 'Congress hatao, desh bachao' (Remove the Congress, save the nation).
Jana Sena is the second party to emerge in the aftermath of the southern state's division. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who quit as chief minister and also resigned from Congress party to protest the state's bifurcation, last week formed 'Jai Samaikyandhra'.
Though famous as 'power star', Pawan is no match to superstar Chiranjeevi in terms of popularity, the question in everybody's mind is will he succeed where his eldest brother failed.
Chiranjeevi floated PRP on the plank of social justice in 2008. Many expected him to break the record of legendary actor N.T. Rama Rao, who came to power within nine months after he floated Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982.
Unlike his many super hit movies, Chiranjeevi's political debut proved a disaster as PRP drew a blank in Lok Sabha elections and bagged only 18 seats in 294-member assembly in 2009. Pawan had campaigned along with his brother and was heading youth wing of the party.
Pawan fell out with his brother in 2010 when he merged PRP with Congress. Unlike Chiranjeevi, Pawan was aggressive both in his attack on Congress and in voicing his views on people's problems. Living up to his screen image of 'angry young man' he tried to strike a chord with people by narrating incidents from his student days to highlight the social inequality.
"I always felt frustrated over not being able to do anything but Jana Sena will ensure that law equally applies to all," he said.
In a two-hour-long speech punched with film dialogues, which was televised live at 28 centres, Pawan declared his party as common man's sena (army) and vowed to end social injustice and corruption. The 43-year-old also wooed youth saying his party will choose morally strong and socially responsible youth as its leaders.
Pawan also tried to reach out to people in Telangana by repeatedly describing it as 'mana' (our) Telangana.
Though hailing from Kapus, a community which Congress is trying to woo, the young actor declared that the party will be above religion, caste and region.
Even while targeting the Congress, he spared his brother. "It's my misfortune that I am standing against my elder brother but he will always remain in heart," he said. He also tried to give a clean chit to Chiranjeevi over bifurcation, saying he can't be blamed for a decision taken by the Congress leadership.
It will be a lone battle for Pawan as almost the entire family is behind Chiranjeevi. K. Naga Babu, elder brother of Pawan, has already announced that he would continue to support Chiranjeevi. "It is because of Chiranjeevi that we have recognition and prestige in society," said Naga Babu, a not so popular actor.
Chiranjeevi is also backed by his son Ramcharan Teja and nephew Allu Arjun, both young and famous actors.
By announcing that he is ready to join hands with any party except the Congress, Pawan has left everyone guessing.
Political analysts believe with considerable fan following in both Seemandhra and Telangana, the actor may play spoil sport for the major parties.
Aero India 2023: PM Narendra Modi said- 'Today's India thinks fast and far and takes quick decisions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru today. Along with this, PM Modi also released a commemorative postage stamp on
Climate change: The eyes of the world are on the deadline given to India
John Kerry, the US President's special climate envoy, met with different ministers in India last week. Climate change and the use of energy sources were discussed during these meetings.
Another claim on Corona's Chinese connection: British journalist said - the genes of 1,000 animals including monkeys and rabbits were changed in Wuhan Lab; Animals were also injected with the virus
Another claim is being made about the city of Wuhan in China, which has come under the target of the world due to the onset of Corona. It is said that with the help of genetic engineering in Wuhan's
Altitude of 15 thousand feet, temperature below zero; ITBP personnel are guarding on ice like this
The borders of the country are safe because our brave soldiers are guarding the borders between day and night, storm, rain, and snowfall. Whatever the circumstances, they are guarding the boundaries.
BJP fields actor Paresh Rawal instead of Harin Pathak
New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) In a move that could create further controversy after denial of ticket to senior leader Jaswant Singh, the BJP Saturday fielded actor Paresh Rawal as the party candidate
Rohini Court Shootout: Umang Yadav had sought a loan from a friend to bring the attackers
A preliminary probe into the Rohini court shootout case has revealed that the car in which both the attackers had come belonged to a friend of arrested accused Umang Yadav, who did not know why his
There is no such study about children's havoc in the third wave: AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria
AIIMS director Randeep Guleria has dismissed the fears of havoc on children in the third wave of Corona. Talking to the media on Tuesday, he said that no such thing has been said in any Indian or
We played some outstanding cricket: Clarke
Sydney, March 26 (IANS) Australia skipper Michael Clarke on Thursday said he is proud the way his team played in the semi-final against India but pointed out that the final against New Zealand
Amarinder refuses to contest from Amritsar seat
Chandigarh, March 20 (IANS) With speculation rife in Punjab's political circles that the Congress wanted to field him from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat against senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley,
What did Ajit Pawar say on his last phone call before dying in the plane crash? The NCP has released the audio.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has released an audio recording of Ajit Pawar's last phone conversation before his death in a plane crash last week. Ajit Pawar spoke to party member Shrijit Pawar
