Eggs hurled at Chiranjeevi
Actor-politician ‘cool’ despite attack in Warangal district
Chiru takes bath after the egg attack allegedly by TRS workers
Police take into custody three TRS workers suspected to be involved in the act
NARASAMPET (WARANGAL DIST.):
Praja Rajyam (PR) president K. Chiranjeevi had to face embarrassing moments during his ‘Praja Ankita Yatra’ here on Tuesday when a group of allegedly TRS workers hurled eggs at him.
Although an egg hit the actor-politician, he remained unruffled. He became emotional for a while resenting the act. “I know politics is not a bed of roses, but thorns and dirt. But I will not go back. I have the blessings of crores of people to whom I owe a lot,” Mr. Chiranjeevi said.
Immediately after the incident, he got off the vehicle at a private engineering college to take bath, before halting for lunch. The party leaders accompanying him condemned the incident, describing it as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘uncalled for’.
Reacting to the agitating TRS activists, who were waving party flags, the PR leader said his decision on separate Telangana was welcomed widely. “What more clarity anybody wants?” he asked. “My brother and your leader K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself lauded the decision. This is not the way to behave,” he chided them.
Police took into custody three TRS workers suspected to have thrown eggs at the PR leader.
Man of courage
Mr. Chiranjeevi said he was a man of courage and would not be deterred by such acts. He said he knew a lot about Telangana life and culture. He was aware of the plight of people hence supported their cause without any hesitation.
The PR leader tried to answer criticism of Congress leaders on Telangana.
He sought to know whether the irrigation projects were really meant for water or to make money.
The projects sans water would stand testimony to corruption and increased bank balance of a few individuals.
Mr. Chiranjeevi set off on the third day of his ‘yatra’ from Mulug and addressed road shows at Mallampalli, Nallabelli Crossroads and at several places in Narasampet mandal. He even entertained the crowd with a few filmy dance steps. Onlookers in turn greeted the actor with loud cheers.
CLP flays attack
Hyderabad Special Correspondent adds: Congress Legislature Party has flayed throwing of eggs at Chiranjeevi as ‘uncivilised act’.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, CLP secretary S. Gangaram said in democracy, if any political party has a grievance it should create awareness about it among the people instead of resorting to such acts that lowers the image of the parties.
Praja Rajyam condemns attack
HYDERABAD:
The Praja Rajyam held the view those persons who attacked its president K. Chiranjeevi with eggs on Tuesday as ‘those against social justice’ and urged all lovers of democracy to condemn the incident.
At a press conference, spokesman Parakala Prabhakar condemned the attack and regretted that such an incident could occur against a party leader who was striving to usher in clean politics.
When asked who were responsible, he said the party did not have a clue. “Police have picked up some persons and are questioning them. We are advising our cadres across the State to observe restraint”. He stated that TRS legislator T. Harish Rao had spoken to party leader Allu Aravind, expressing regrets. Mr. Rao had denied involvement of TRS cadre in it.
Act of mischief
All parties should condemn “this act of mischief”, he declared. In a statement, CPI State secretary K. Narayana condemned the incident. Everyone had a right to express an opinion and if people did not like it, they could not force a change, he said. Former Union Minister, P. Upendra, too deplored the incident. NTP president T. Devender Goud flayed the attack. He recalled that democracy allowed freedom of speech to all.
Chiru ‘open to’ alliance with BJP
HYDERABAD:
Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi has not completely ruled out an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In an interview to the news channel, CNN IBN on Tuesday, he said if such an eventuality was ‘inevitable’ and if it was for the ‘wider cause of humanitarian good, it may be possible’. He said that while it was too early to say he would align with the BJP, there was a ‘feeble chance’ of such an alliance. Fielding other questions, he said: “Ours being a secular party I don’t think it will happen. We will try to avoid it, but I don’t know. I don’t want to be with the BJP.”
‘Mega’ welcome awaits Chiru
KHAMMAM:
The Praja Rajyam cadres are gearing up for a massive show. Party chief Chiranjeevi will enter the district to commence his road show from Dammaigudem village around 3.30 p.m tomorrow.
The fans clubs of the film star- turned politicians are out to join the party cadres. The 30-km stretch of the State highway from Maripedabangla in Warangal district to Khammam is wrapped in party banners.
Indeed a rousing welcome awaits the PR chief, who is on the last leg of his second phase campaign covering Telangana districts.
Thousands of party men and supporters are getting ready to line the streets and receive the convoy of the PR leader. He will reach Khammam town around 7.30 p.m after covering important villages including Pindiprolu, Tirumalayapalem and Arempula.
The town police have drawn up bandobust plans for the occasion.
Huge cutouts and giant size boards have been put up at vantage points in the town. His two-day visit is expected to bring in some important leaders from other political parties into Praja Rajyam. Mitra, official spokesperson of the party, and party leader Tammineni Seetharam have been camping here for the past three days to monitor the arrangements.
The party men conducted preparatory rallies in Khammam and Kothagudem as part of the mobilisation effort for the occasion.
Angry PR activist’s burn KCR effigy
WARANGAL:
Resenting the hurling of eggs on Praja Rajyam Party leader Chiranjeevi, the party workers across the district organized protests and burnt effigies of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party President K. Chandrasekhar Rao here on Tuesday.
In the milieu, a Praja Rajyam worker sustained burns at Jangaon.
According to information reaching here, a group of party activists took out a rally and came near the chowrastha.
They burnt the effigy of Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao. One of the activists, P. Dasarath (20) of Jangaon tried to stomp the effigy while it was on fire. His trousers caught fire.
Other workers tried to put off the fire, but he sustained severe burns and was shifted to a private hospital.
At Palakurthy and Buchannapet mandal headquarters too, several PR workers burnt the effigies of TRS party leader protesting against hurling of eggs at Mr. Chiranjeevi at Narasampet.
PR leader B. Siddartha Goud told the newsmen that they condemned the act and expressed their unhappiness at the behaviour of TRS workers.
Chiranjeevi Exclusive 