By Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad : The super star of Telugu films Chiranjeevi today formally launched his political party “PRAJA RAJYAM” or People’s Rule at a mammoth public meeting in temple town of Tirupati with a vow to fight for social justice, uphold secularism and provide equal opportunity to every section of society.
Addressing more than half a million people in outskirts of Tirupati, Chiranjeevi said that eradication of poverty and corruption would be on top of the agenda of his party.
Asserting that happy , prosperous Andhra Pradesh free from poverty, hunger and backwardness, Chiranjeevi said that his party’s policies and programs will reflect the aspirations and wishes of the people.
He said party was named as Praja Rajyam because it was born out of the aspirations of people and call of the masses to him to join politics. “People want rule by the people for the people”, he said.
The party’s flag was unfurled by two physically handicapped persons with the star standing on their side. It has white and green as a dominant color with a red colour son with 24 rays in the middle and a yellow colour line. “The sun represents the source of interminable energy. White is purity and a mixture of all colours and green acknowledges the farmers and their green fields. At the same time these colors also represent various religions Hinduism, Islam and Christianity”, he said.
Chiranjeevi said that it was a matter of good fortune that the party was being launched on the birth anniversary of Mother Teresa who symbolised the spirit of service, love and affection for every body.
Underlining the need for social justice he said, “the people who are numerically in large numbers are getting fewer opportunities and people with lesser numbers are getting more opportunities. It has to be balanced to create a sense of participation among all sections of people”, he said.
He said fighting against poverty and corruption will be on the top of the agenda of his Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). On Maoist problem he said his party will not see it as a mere law and order problem but treat it as a social problem born out of poverty. He said providing access to the clean drinking water, education and health care to all will be his top priority because it was a matter of shame that even today the people don’t get these facilities in many part of Andhra Pradesh.
On the demand for separate Telangana state, Chiranjeevi said that the basic problem of the region was self respect and development. “We will honor the self respect and sentiments of the people of Telangana”, he said. “If separation becomes inevitable, we will do it in a respectable and harmonious way. We will help and cooperate in this direction”, he said.
He said his party will also pay attention to the backward parts of coastal Andhra and Rayala Seema regions.
He said while continuing with the reservations for various weaker sections, his party will also have a policy of providing reservations to the economically backward sections of all castes and communities. “Because poverty and economic backwardness does not have any religion or caste”, he said.
On Muslim communities problems he said that the party will be committed to the welfare of all the minorities including Muslims and ensure equal opportunities to them in every sphere of life.
He promised that his party will come out with a detailed policy on all the sensitive issues including Maoist problem, Telangana and categorization of scheduled caste after due deliberations and discussions with in party. “An individual can not take a decision”, he said.
He also came down heavily on the commercialization of education and promised that under him, no student will be deprived of education because of lack of money.
Coming out like a seasoned politician Chiranjeevi had to say something for every section of society. He said the farmers will have a pride of place in his policies and programs and it will be ensured that they get remunerative price for their product.
Chiranjeevi addressed more than half a million strong gathering for almost two hours and his fans and follower heard him with rapt attention. He said he can not repay the people for their love and affection. “so much love for one individual. My heart is full of gratitude for the way you kept me in your heart and nourished me for the last thirty years. What I am today is only because of you”, he said.
Pointing towards the huge gathering Chiranjeevi said, “it looks as if entire Andhra Pradesh has gathered at the feet of Tirumala Hills”.
He said he and his supporters were entering in to a Maha Yuddh or Great Battle. ‘In this battle there is not commander only soldiers and I am also one of the soldiers”.
“In this battle courage and honesty are the only two weapons we have”, he said. Chiranjeevi said that the people do not need a leader but a servant. “you have chosen me as your servant”.
He rued that service and the politics had got divorced and it was necessary to link them again. “Service is more important, not the power. Service is our aim. We will have to bring back respect to politics. Let the opponents talk, find fault and denigrate us. Our only response should be service, service and service”.
Ruing that the increasing consumption of liquor was destroying homes and families and throwing people out on the streets, he promised that this was not the way of achieving happiness and property. “After proper discussion we will come out with a scientific policy on this issue”, he said.