By Swati Reddy
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment