The Praja Rajyam, launched by the actor, is likely to join hands with smaller parties to take on both the ruling Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party.

The priorities of the new party spelt out by Chiranjeevi and his stand on key issues indicate the possibility of an alliance before simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the State assembly. Political observers feel the flexibility shown by Chiranjeevi on the issue of separate statehood for Telangana and his criticism of land acquisition for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) by the government indicate the possibility of pre-poll alliance(s).

‘Filmi dialogue’

While the Congress and TDP dismissed Chiranjeevi’s speech as dialogues from a film and the meeting as the first show of the star’s movie, other parties want to adopt a wait and watch approach.

The actor’s stand on Telangana has been welcomed by parties fighting for separate statehood for the region.
“Yet, if people conclude that parting between brothers is inevitable, we will assist in their amicable separation,” he said. However, both Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Nava Telangana Praja Party (NTPP) want the actor to take a clear stand on the issue.

Chiranjeevi steered clear from making any promise, as this would have an impact on his party’s prospects in the Rayalseema region. The actor’s criticism of the Congress government on the issue of SEZs and sale of government lands is likely to help him in finding friends in Communist parties.