All Chiranjeevi’s men

Chiranjeevi’s mentor and brother-in-law Allu Arvind, a film-maker, did all the groundwork before the party was launched. Allu Arvind will continue to organise things for Chiranjeevi — be it mobilising fan clubs, arranging finance, tying up with NRIs or setting up special cells within the party. So far, he has kept himself away from the limelight. And perhaps the film-maker would like to remain behind the scenes. “It is unlikely that Allu Arvind would contest the elections or take up a post in the party. He won’t be seen as one of the party’s political leaders. He will be operating from behind the curtain, steering and advising the party,” a source says.

Dr P Mitra is a London-returned professional doctor who flirted with the Lok Satta Party for a few years before joining Chiranjeevi. A communist, Dr Mitra is apparently helping in framing the party’s policy. Except for addressing fans and followers in the IT industry, doctors and senior citizens, Dr Mitra has kept himself away from the public eye. His influence on the megastar can be gauged from the stand that Chiranjeevi took on Naxalism, which he described as a social issue born out of poverty rather than a law and order problem. He also questioned the logic behind taking away land from farmers for SEZs — this too fits with Left ideology. Chiranjeevi’s family has known Dr Mitra for over 25 years. Dr Mitra’s brother is a film-maker based at Chennai. “At a later date, Dr Mitra might join Chiranjeevi in contesting elections. At present, there are no such indications and he is happy working in the background. In the coming months he may emerge as the party’s number two,” says a source.

Chiranjeevi’s brother Nagendra Babu is another key member in the party. Prior to the launch of the party, he toured the entire state and held public meetings. He has a huge fan following of his own and holds considerable influence over his as well as Chirajeevi’s fans. Though Chiranjeevi is learnt to be keen on not involving his own family members in the party — his youngest brother Pawan Kalyan is a craze among the youth in Andhra — Naga Babu may finally join him.

Chiranjeevi is also known to have held consultations with retired IAS officers like S R Sankaran and Gopal Rao. Sankaran is the convenor of the Committee of Concerned Citizens. Well-known lawyer and civil rights activist K G Kannabiran is also part of the Committee. Rao, who has been working for the welfare of backward classes, is advising Chiranjeevi on the SC ST situation in the state.

K Vidhyadhara Rao, a senior TDP leader who was expelled for pro-Telangana statehood statements in March, has joined hands with Chiranjeevi and is the only ‘political’ figure in Chiranjeevi’s party right now. Rayalseema’s political couple — Bhooma Nagi Reddy and his wife Shobha Reddy of Kurnool — are two others with a political background in the party. They both quit the TDP in June.

On Thursday Dr P Mithra Reddy and political commentator and TV anchor Parkal Prabhakar were appointed by Chiranjeevi as his party’s official spokespersons.