State for Total Ban on Roadshows

By K Shiva Reddy

In what appears to be a move by the Congress government to nip Prajarajyam president Chiranjeevi's political ambitions in the bud, the state has recommended a total ban on political roadshows.

A report by the director general of police submitted to the AP High Court on Thursday, recommends a total ban on roadshows. The report from the top cop was handed over by advocate general C V Mohan Reddy to Chief Justice Anil R Dave and Justice R Subhash Reddy who are hearing the case filed by an non governmental organisation (NGO) to ban road shows on the ground that it adversely affects the public. The court has directed the state to circulate the copies of the report to all political parties after which the matter is slated to be heard on Monday. The bench had earlier stayed all roadshows till further orders

As per the report of the director general of police (DGP), even the convoys of the leaders heading towards venues of public meetings and other processions while going through the roads have to adhere to several strict norms hereafter. Any leader who is addressing people en route atop his vehicle with or without public address system while moving slowly or even making gestures and waving to the crowds is defined as roadshow and hence should not be permitted henceforth

All main roads, national highways and major cross roads and even the arterial roads in cities, towns, suburban areas and major zilla parishad roads cannot be used not only for such shows, but also for dharnas and rallies now.

For taking out large-scale processions through the other roads, prior permission from the respective SPs, who will shortly notify such roads, is essential for the political parties hereafter, the director general has recommended.

Also, the convoy of the leaders should not comprise more than 10 vehicles excluding those of security personnel. And apart from obtaining permission from the authorities, these parties have to give wide publicity 48 hours in advance about such programmes.

Whenever, two or more political parties are slated to conduct their programmes in the same place on the same day, then the authorities will regulate their timings in order to avoid any possible clash, the DGP's report says.

Chiranjeevi has covered only half of the state through road shows that drew tremendous response. "If the high court bans roadshows permanently, then the cine star will have to find new ways of popularising himself," an analyst said.